7 security personnel injured in Manipur

At least seven security personnel on their way for a search operation were injured in an attack at Moreh in Manipur's Tengnoupal district on Tuesday, police said, adding to a fresh spurt of violence roiling the restive state where around 200 people have died since May last year in ethnic clashes.

- Utpal Parashar

Deputy commissioner of Tengnoupal Krishna Kumar said the attack was unprovoked and that the wounded security personnel were rushed to hospital. Five of the personnel were airlifted to Imphal, where they were admitted to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences.

Two others were being treated in Moreh. Officials said the four of the wounded were Manipur Police commandos and the rest were from the Border Security Force.

The attack came a day after four men were killed and five others sustained critical bullet Thoubal injuries in Manipur's district, prompting the state government to tighten curfew.

The killings, reported from Lilong Chingao area around 12km from Imphal, came after a suspected extortion bid and targeted the Meitei Pangals, a Muslim community that had hitherto remained untouched by the violence. Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh said that he was "highly upset" with the ongoing violence in the state and elements who engage in it will be held responsible for any stringent government action.