Imphal, Manipur, January 15 (HBTV): Security forces narrowly escaped a fresh drone attack by suspected Kuki militants at Kangchup Phayeng in Imphal West on Tuesday night.

Manipur police confirmed that two bombs reportedly exploded around 9:27 PM and 9:30 PM, suspected to have been dropped from drones. The explosions occurred approximately 15 feet away from a temporary security barrack and sentry post of the Manipur police.

This marks the first drone bombing incident of 2025, following a similar attack on the village on November 11, 2024. 

Propellers from the drones were found at the scene. On Wednesday, a team of forensic experts conducted a spot investigation and seized fragments of the bombs, including the propellers, which were attached to a ring.

A Manipur police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said no gunfire was reported.  

“We are taking necessary security measures to prevent any untoward incidents."

Ajit, a villager from Kangchup, a Meitei-dominated area, told the media, ‘Since November 11 the previous year, no drones had been spotted hovering in the area. However, over the past three days, drones were frequently seen flying around.

‘We didn’t panic, assuming they were surveillance drones,’ the villager said. He added that ‘ during the previous night, after hearing the sound of drones hovering, two bombs exploded just 15 feet away from the security barrack and sentry post. If the bombs had been dropped in the congested areas, the casualties could have been significant.’ 

Ajit also pointed out that the incident occurred near the central forces deployed on the hilltops of Kangchup and adjoining areas of Kangpokpi district, where four companies of the 112th and 158th battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force are stationed.

"We don’t want compensation after injuries or deaths caused by militant attacks. We want peace to be restored using the nearly 60,000 central forces deployed in Manipur," he said.

No casualties were reported during the incident. A case has been registered at Lamshang police station for further investigation.