Locals in Nambol, Manipur, staged protests on Saturday morning, mourning the killing of two Assam Rifles personnel in a brutal ambush the previous evening. Dressed in traditional mourning attire, the protesters held placards and raised slogans condemning the attack, which they said sowed fear and panic in their community.
On the evening of September 19, 2025, a calculated ambush near Nambol Sabal Leikai in Manipur’s Bishnupur district resulted in the deaths of two Assam Rifles personnel and injuries to five others. The attack unfolded on National Highway-2, about 8 kilometres from Imphal Airport, as a convoy of 33 Assam Rifles soldiers was travelling from their Patsoi base to the Nambol base.
Attackers opened fire on a Tata 407 vehicle carrying security forces at approximately 5:50 pm. Notably, the route is a vital corridor used recently by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Manipur. The injured soldiers were immediately taken to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal, where they are reported to be stable.
Despite the swift medical response and extensive search operations, the attackers remain at large, and no group has yet claimed responsibility.
Local Outrage and Official Condemnations
In response to the tragic incident, locals in Nambol staged protests early on September 20, expressing grief, anger, and a demand for justice and improved security. The community’s reaction highlighted the fear and frustration that recurrent violence instils in vulnerable residents. Authorities responded quickly with intensified search and combing operations in the area to apprehend the assailants and recover the vehicle believed to be a white van used in the ambush.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla condemned the attack as a “heinous act of violence” and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the slain soldiers, Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung and Rifleman Ranjit Singh Kashyap. Former Chief Minister N Biren Singh also visited the injured at RIMS, assuring the public that security forces are working tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The Assam Rifles’ Director General Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera paid solemn tribute to the fallen soldiers and offered deep condolences to their families, underscoring the ultimate sacrifice made in service to the nation.
Complex Security Challenges in a Fragile Region
This violent attack adds to the fragile security landscape in Manipur, which has been destabilised by ongoing ethnic clashes between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities since mid-2023. These conflicts escalated to such an extent that President’s Rule was imposed in February 2025.
The ambush occurred in a denotified area outside the jurisdiction of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which complicates security operations. The banned Meitei insurgent group, People’s Liberation Army (PLA), is suspected to be behind the attack, although definitive claims are pending. This incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the region, including protests against Manipur’s 1949 merger agreement.
The continuing insurgency and ethnic strife pose serious challenges to peace and security in the region, demanding carefully balanced responses that uphold law and order while protecting citizens’ rights.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The assault on the Assam Rifles convoy in Manipur is a sorrowful reminder of the costs borne by those who protect the nation’s sovereignty and peace. While honouring the bravery and sacrifice of the fallen soldiers, The Logical Indian underscores that sustainable peace requires more than military measures.
Lasting resolution depends on earnest dialogue, empathy, and reconciliation among Manipur’s diverse communities. The cycles of violence and retaliation only deepen divisions and suffering, making holistic and inclusive peace-building efforts essential.
People in Nambol staged protests against yesterday’s ambush incident. The Meira Paibi women’s group of Manipur took to the streets to demonstrate against the militant attack.#Manipur #AssamRifles pic.twitter.com/WX9GZNALUj
— Kamalika Sengupta (@KamalikaSengupt) September 20, 2025
People of #Manipur Protest and Condemn the attack on 33 AssamRifles stationed at Maibam lotpa ching yesterday, 2 soldiers martyred 5 injured in an Ambush by Militants,injured soldiers were taken to hospital by the locals of Nambol.@official_dgar @easterncomd @ndtv @the_hindu pic.twitter.com/FDJn4QH2Iq
— Random Star (@RandomStar89985) September 20, 2025
