2 Assam Rifles Soldiers Killed In Action, 5 Injured In Ambush Near Imphal

The ambush location is situated between Imphal and Churachandpur.

Imphal:

In an attack this evening on the outskirts of Manipur's Imphal, two Assam Rifles jawans lost their lives, and five others sustained injuries when terrorists ambushed their vehicle. The wounded personnel have been transported to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal for treatment.

At approximately 5:50 pm, terrorists opened fire on the paramilitary forces' 407 Tata vehicle as it traveled from its Patsoi company operating base to Nambol base. This route is the same one that Prime Minister Narendra Modi utilized during his visit to Manipur just a week ago.

The ambush site is approximately 8 km from the Imphal Airport on the road leading to Churachandpur.

"In the general area, Nambol Sabal Leikai, unidentified terrorists ambushed the column on the Highway in the denotified area of Manipur. During the ensuing action, two Assam Rifles personnel were martyred and five were injured," according to the official statement.

The statement added that the Assam Rifles unit was traveling on NH-2, "during hours of darkness," when the ambush occurred.

Currently, no organization has claimed responsibility for the attack. Search operations are in progress to apprehend the armed individuals involved in the incident.

The fallen soldiers have been identified as Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung and Rifleman Ranjit Singh Kashyap. "All ranks of the Assam Rifles pay solemn tribute to those who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in Manipur today and offer deep condolences to the families of our Brave soldiers," the Assam Rifles stated in a post on X.

Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, AVSM, SM, Director General Assam Rifles & All Ranks of Assam Rifles pay solemn tribute to Nb Sub Shyam Gurung & Rfn Ranjit Singh Kashyap who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in Manipur today and offer deep condolences to the families of our… pic.twitter.com/Ntmm9wKrMU

— The Assam Rifles (@official_dgar) September 19, 2025

The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is in effect throughout Manipur, excluding 13 police station areas across five districts in the valley region. Nambol falls within Bishnupur district, which is not covered under AFSPA. The Act was last extended in March 2025 for six months and will be reviewed again at the end of this month.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs' list of banned organizations, there are nine prohibited Meitei terrorist groups in Manipur. These groups have previously attacked the Assam Rifles, including the November 2021 ambush in Churachandpur district that killed Colonel Viplav Tripathi, his wife, and son.

That incident occurred near Sehken village when heavily armed terrorists fired upon Colonel Tripathi's convoy, killing him, his wife, their son, and three Quick Reaction Team jawans instantly.

Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh visited the wounded soldiers at RIMS.

Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla condemned Friday's attack, expressing profound grief and extending heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers. He also offered prayers for the swift recovery of those injured in the incident.

The Governor of Manipur has strongly condemned the attack on security forces this evening, in which two brave jawans of the Assam Rifles made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.The Governor expressed profound grief and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved…

— RAJ BHAVAN, MANIPUR (@RajBhavManipur) September 19, 2025

Mr. Bhalla emphasized that such violent acts will not be tolerated under any circumstances and warned that they would be met with the strongest resolve to safeguard peace and stability in the region.

While Manipur has experienced ethnic violence between two communities since May 3, 2023, the situation had recently shown improvement with a decrease in violent incidents. Friday's attack has disrupted this fragile peace, with security forces once again becoming targets.