Manipur conflict escalates as militants acquire modern weapons

PTC News Desk: On September 6, Kuki militants launched a rocket that killed one person and injured five others, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict in Manipur. The rocket, measuring 23.8 kg in weight, 5 cm in thickness, and nine feet in length, symbolises the growing security challenge in the state, which has been plagued by 16 months of violence.

The attack occurred at 3:40 p.m., with the rocket traveling 5-6 km from the hills and landing near the residence of Manipur’s first Chief Minister, Mairembam Koireng Singh, in Moirang. The victim was identified as 72-year-old RK Rabei Singh, a Meitei man, and five of the former chief minister’s relatives, including a 13-year-old girl, were injured.

Since the resurgence of violence on September 1, which claimed the life of one woman and injured 10 others, Manipur has seen at least 10 deaths. The conflict between the Meitei community, dominant in the valley, and the Kuki tribal groups, based in the hills, has intensified since May 2023, leading to over 225 fatalities. Communities have now retreated to their respective strongholds as the violence continues to escalate.

The renewed conflict has seen militants adopting modern weaponry, including drones for bomb drops and improvised rockets. Senior officials are concerned by the sophistication of the weapons. Military officers noted that the rockets now have metallic fins for balance and are equipped with warheads and propellant sections. The outer shells are made from galvanized iron pipes or iron castings, filled with explosives like urea or ammonium nitrate and metal fragments for greater impact.

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In August, the Manipur Police warned security forces about militants testing these rockets, but the alerts were largely ignored until it was too late. Rockets have been fired in multiple locations, including Molphai Tampa and Tronglaobi in Bishnupur district, killing one person and injuring several others.

The technology behind these weapons is a step up from the crude “pumpi guns” previously used in the region. Police have recovered hundreds of these makeshift guns over the past year, but the shift to advanced rocket launchers capable of traveling up to 7 km marks a new phase in the conflict.

Drones have also become a significant concern, with militants allegedly using them to drop bombs in the September 1 attack, which occurred near the Imphal West-Kangpokpi district border. Manipur Police have retrieved unexploded bombs for forensic analysis, and one device bore markings of Kuki militant groups. Witnesses reported that drones dropped between 30 to 40 bombs that day, with two types of explosives identified: one with a metal shell and another with a plastic casing marked “Kukiland.”

Assembling these drones has become relatively easy, as parts can be ordered online. Police have recovered one such drone near Koutruk village, where the bombing occurred. Assam Police had previously intercepted smuggling attempts involving flight batteries, which authorities now believe were intended for use in drone operations in Manipur.

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In addition to drones, snipers have begun playing a key role in the conflict. Militants, hiding in bunkers and trees, use telescopic rifles to target opponents from a distance, significantly reducing the need for direct combat. In one recent operation, forces recovered a 7.62 mm modified sniper rifle from the jungles of Kangpokpi district.

Changing tactics have made it difficult for security forces to respond effectively. Militants have also been spotted using multiple grenade launchers (MGLs), a clear indication of their growing arsenal. Officials are increasingly worried about where these groups are learning to improvise such sophisticated weaponry.

The use of HE 36 grenades, once looted from armories, is now largely reserved for setting abandoned houses on fire. In Thangbuh village, a house was burned down on September 8 using these grenades, highlighting the shift in strategy as militants gain access to more destructive weapons like rockets.

The situation in Manipur has created significant challenges for the security forces and government officials, who are struggling to maintain law and order. As militants continue to upgrade their arsenal, the conflict is expected to intensify, with both sides showing little sign of relenting. One senior army officer commented on the militants’ resourcefulness, saying, “Maybe Myanmar, maybe home-grown militants, or maybe it is what we were taught in school — necessity is the mother of invention.”

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