A late-night gunfight broke out between security forces and suspected militants in Manipur’s Bishnupur district after an Army post came under fire on Wednesday, officials said. According to a statement issued by Manipur Police, the incident took place around 11:40 pm on March 25 in the Phouljang-Gothol area. Suspected armed Kuki militants reportedly opened fire towards an Indian Army post located at Phougakchao Awang Leikai, triggering an immediate response from forces stationed in the area.
Personnel of the Indian Army and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), particularly the 58th Battalion, returned fire soon after the attack. The exchange of fire continued for nearly 30 minutes before the situation was brought under control. Officials said there were no immediate reports of any casualties from either side. However, the firing created tension in the area, which has remained sensitive due to ongoing ethnic unrest in the state.
Following the incident, a joint search operation was launched early on Thursday by the Indian Army, CRPF, Manipur Police, and the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB). The operation is being carried out in the area where the firing took place, along with nearby hill regions, in an effort to trace those involved in the attack. Security forces are continuing combing operations, and officials said the situation is being closely monitored. Additional deployments have also been made to prevent any further escalation.
