On the evening of September 19, 2025, two Assam Rifles soldiers, Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung and Rifleman Ranjit Singh Kashyap, were killed, and five others were injured in a calculated ambush near Nambol Sabal Leikai in the Bishnupur district of Manipur. The attack took place at approximately 5:50 pm on National Highway-2, just 8 km from Imphal Airport, as a convoy of 33 Assam Rifles personnel was moving from their Patsoi base to the Nambol base.
The assailants opened fire on a Tata 407 vehicle carrying security personnel. The injured soldiers were rushed to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, where their conditions were reported to be stable. Despite search operations, the attackers remain at large, and no group has officially claimed responsibility for the assault as of now.
The area is a denotified zone, which adds layers of complexity to the security situation. The Assam Rifles, through their Director General Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, paid solemn tribute to the fallen soldiers, highlighting their ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Security Implications and Official Responses
The ambush occurred on the same road used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Manipur earlier in September, marking the route as a critical artery for state security and administration. The attack signifies a disturbing escalation in violence just months after the beginning of ethnic clashes between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities in May 2023, which have destabilised the region and led to the imposition of President’s Rule since February 2025.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla condemned the attack, expressing deep grief and extending heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyred soldiers while praying for the recovery of the injured personnel. The Governor reiterated that such violent acts will be met with strong resolve to restore peace and stability.
Former Chief Minister N Biren Singh visited the injured at RIMS and assured that security forces are working tirelessly to apprehend those responsible.
Background and Ongoing Challenges
This ambush reflects continuing tensions amid the longstanding insurgency in Manipur. The banned Meitei insurgent group, the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), is suspected of orchestrating the attack; the group has allegedly operated from bases across the Myanmar border and has been involved in previous violent acts targeting security forces.
The attack underscores the fragile security environment in Manipur, where multiple insurgent groups remain active, and ethnic tensions periodically erupt into violence. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is still in force in most of Manipur, except for certain denotified areas like Nambol Sabal Leikai, which complicates operational scope for security forces.
The incident comes at a sensitive time, just before a valley-based rebel groups’ bandh opposing Manipur’s 1949 merger agreement. The situation demands urgent and calibrated responses balancing security and civil liberties.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This attack near Imphal tragically takes the lives of soldiers who serve to protect the nation’s unity and peace. While acknowledging the bravery and dedication of these personnel, The Logical Indian emphasises that military action alone cannot resolve the deeply rooted conflicts in Manipur.
Sustainable peace in the region can only be nurtured through persistent dialogue, recognising legitimate grievances, and fostering mutual understanding among diverse communities. Violence perpetuates suffering and distrust, making reconciliation harder.
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 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.
— RAJ BHAVAN, MANIPUR (@RajBhavManipur) September 19, 2025
The Governor expressed profound grief and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved…
