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

Two jawans of the Assam Rifles were killed in action, and five others have been injured after their truck was ambushed by a group of terrorists on the outskirts of Manipur's Imphal this evening. Those injured have been taken to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal.

The terrorists fired at the paramilitary forces' 407 Tata vehicle while it was travelling from its Patsoi company operating base to Nambol base at 5.50 pm. This is on the same road that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken during his recent visit to Manipur a week ago.

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

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

The Assam Rifles unit was moving on NH-2, "during hours of darkness", when it was ambushed, it added.

As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Search operations are underway to catch the armed men involved in the incident.

The soldiers killed in action are 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 said 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 applicable in the entire state of Manipur, except in 13 police station areas of five districts in the valley region. Nambol comes under the Bishnupur district, which is not under AFSPA coverage. AFSPA was last extended in March 2025 for six months. It will be up for review again this month-end.

There are nine banned Meitei terrorist groups in Manipur, as per the Ministry of Home Affairs' list of banned organisations. They have been responsible for attacks on the Assam Rifles in the past, including the killing of Colonel Viplav Tripathi, his wife and son in an ambush in Churachandpur district in November 2021.

The incident took place near Sehken village as the heavily armed terrorists fired upon the convoy of the Assam Rifles Colonel, killing him, his wife, their son and three Quick Reaction Team jawans on the spot.

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

Manipur governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla condemned Friday's attack and expressed profound grief and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the soldiers who were killed in the line of duty. He also conveyed prayers for the speedy recovery of those who sustained injuries 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 said that such acts of violence will not be tolerated under any circumstances and warned that they will be met with the strongest resolve to safeguard peace and stability in the region.

Manipur has seen ethnic violence between two communities since May 3, 2023, but the situation has seen improvement in recent times, with a lull in violence. Friday's incident has disrupted the fragile peace, with security forces coming under attack again.