Less than a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi&rsquo;s September 13 visit to Manipur &mdash; his first since the ethnic conflict between Meiteis and Kuki-Zos began on May 3, 2023 &mdash; violence resurfaced in the state. 
On Friday evening, two Assam Rifles troopers were killed and five others injured when their truck was ambushed by &ldquo;unidentified terrorists&rdquo; in Bishnupur district, a Meitei-majority area.
According to the defence PRO, the attack took place around 5:50 pm on a highway in Nambol Sabal Leikai, when troops of the 33 Assam Rifles were moving from Patsoi to Nambol. 
The ambush site falls in a &ldquo;denotified area&rdquo; of Manipur &mdash; where the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) is not in effect.
&ldquo;In the ensuing action, two personnel of Assam Rifles were martyred and five were injured, who have since been evacuated to RIMS hospital and are currently stable,&rdquo; the defence PRO said in a statement.
The incident occurred roughly 12 km from Imphal West. 
Officials added that while no militant group has claimed responsibility yet, search operations are underway to track down those behind the ambush.

Military truck ambushed on Manipur highway evening

Two Assam Rifles troopers slain, five injured in Bishnupur ambush; militants suspected

Troopers Killed In Manipur Ambush Attack

Two Assam Rifles troopers slain, five injured in Bishnupur ambush; militants suspected

September 20, 2025 | 10:40 IST