Militants set fire to two houses in Manipur village, clash with CRPF

Armed militants entered a village in Manipur and set ablaze two residential houses, prompting a swift response from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The security personnel arrived on the scene and engaged the attackers in a brief gunfight, after which the militants withdrew from the area. No official casualty figures have been released, and local residents reported heavy smoke and damage to the structures. The incident underscores the persistent security challenges in the state, where insurgent groups frequently clash with security forces. State authorities have vowed to intensify patrols and investigate the identities of the assailants.

The CRPF team, deployed under the state's counter‑insurgency operations, confirmed that they exchanged fire with the militants but did not disclose the number of rounds fired. Officials emphasized that the operation aimed to prevent further escalation and protect civilian lives. The two houses, belonging to local families, suffered extensive fire damage, leaving the occupants displaced.

Manipur's law‑and‑order situation remains volatile, with periodic attacks on villages near the border districts. The police and paramilitary units are on high alert, and the state government has urged residents to cooperate with security forces and report any suspicious activity.