Drones used to carry out attacks in Manipur sent for forensic study

Amid the rising use of drones and rockets by extremists in Manipur, security forces have sent samples of drones used in recent attacks on civilians for forensic analysis to determine their technical specifications. Security personnel have suggested that advanced technology may be involved in sourcing these drones.

Officials have hinted that extremists may be receiving financial support from “enemy nations” such as China or extremist groups based in Myanmar. However, security personnel noted that the drones used in recent attacks were of low quality, lacking firing mechanisms.

“Unlike drones used by Pakistan-based smugglers to drop drugs in Punjab, which have large rotors and can fly at high altitudes for extended periods, the drones used by extremists in Manipur are limited in capability. They fly at low altitude, have short flight durations, and can only carry a single bomb at a time,” a senior security official said.

Sources said the drones in Manipur require significant momentum to cause explosions due to the absence of a firing mechanism, meaning bombs do not detonate instantly unless dropped on hard or rocky surfaces. Security personnel indicated that casualties occurred as extremists fired rockets and manually threw bombs into civilian areas.

Sources said the September 1 incident — when a woman was killed in Koutruk village after militants attacked civilian settlements with rocket-propelled grenades delivered by drones — was not the first time drones had been used.

Drones have been in use for several months, initially for surveillance by both Meitei and Kuki militants. However, they are now being used to drop bombs and rockets. The Manipur Government has formed a five-member committee, chaired by ADGP (Intelligence), to examine the drones deployed by militants. It is expected to submit its report by September 13.

Cong demands immediate dismissal of Manipur CM

The Congress on Monday demanded that Chief Minister N Biren Singh be immediately dismissed and the Centre take full responsibility of the sensitive security situation.

Meanwhile, a Kuki-Zo community women’s forum has requested PM Modi to order a high-level probe into the contents of a leaked taped conversation allegedly involving the CM. In the recording, the CM is reportedly heard making inflammatory remarks about the ongoing ethnic violence in the state.

Students throw stones at Raj Bhawan

Hundreds of students on Monday held a protest against renewed violence in Manipur outside the Raj Bhawan in Imphal on Monday. They also demanded handing over of the unified command to the state government. There were scuffles between the police and the protesting students as they pelted stones at the Raj Bhawan. The students also demanded the removal of paramilitary forces from the state. They also sought the removal of the state’s DGP Rajiv Singh and the Centre-appointed security adviser Kuldiep Singh.