Manipur drone and missile attacks: How did the militants get weapons and expert training? Exclusive from intelligence sources

The recovery of remnants of advanced missiles from Manipur following recent drone and high-tech missile attacks has raised serious questions about the availability of weapons from Myanmar, the functioning of state police and security forces, and new insurgent groups from Bangladesh, according to senior intelligence sources.

According to sources, drones were spotted in November 2023 when the airport airspace reported drones and two Indigo flights were diverted and one flight took off three hours late. “The biggest issue that cannot be ruled out is that the Kuki groups are known to use long-range weapons from China, Pakistan or Korea,” sources said.

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“Serious concerns were raised about the role of the Assam Rifles in May 2023 when they blocked the police station with armoured vehicles when riots broke out and the Kukis were given a free hand. Nearly 5,000-6,000 cadres of retired Assam Rifles are ready to join the Kuki groups,” sources said.

WAR-LIKE SHOPS THAT PROVIDE UNINTERRUPTED SUPPLIES?

On April 29 this year, the Assam Rifles acted on targeted intelligence and seized war weapons from the Mon districts of Nagaland, which is close to Myanmar. These weapons included grenade launchers, satellite phones, pistols and pipes, among others.

“The use of drones and missiles suggests that the Kuki Zo militias have war-like supplies and continuous supplies are coming from the Myanmar border. These groups have probably been trained by Myanmar Kuki Chin. These weapons are quite sophisticated and experts are needed to manufacture them. Also, one needs special training to fire these missiles as one has to estimate the trajectory and calculate the wind speed,” sources said.

POLICE SPEAK

The Manipur Police refuted claims made by Lt Gen PC Nair, a retired chief of the Assam Rifles Army Staff, in a recent media interview that neither drones nor missiles were used in the attacks. He had also referred to the Manipur Police as “Meitei Police”, implying their alleged partisan role in the ethnic unrest.

Speaking to reporters, IGP (Administration) K Jayanta Singh said, “The statement is immature and appears to reflect his personal opinion and not that of the armed forces (Assam Rifles). We strongly reject it. There is evidence of drone and high-tech missile attacks. Drones have been recovered. The tips of sophisticated missiles fired at civilian areas have also been recovered. Despite this evidence, it is very unfortunate that a respected commander is making such statements.”

IGP (Operations) IK Muivah said, “We want to clarify the statement that there is no Manipur Police, there is a Meitei Police or a Kuki Police. We want to refute that.”

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Regarding the drone strikes, Muivah said: “We have made clarifications in the official media reports on the drone strikes and we stand by them.”

Commenting on the ongoing student protests, Muivah said: “We appeal to students not to resort to violence and to do so in a peaceful manner.” Screenshots are being taken to document those who call for violence and spread false messages with false images as this creates panic and confusion, he said.

A policeman was hit by a bullet fired by protesters in Thoubal on Monday, he said.

TOP CRPF OFFICERS IN MANIPUR

The government has now sent senior officers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to Manipur. “This is a priority. The CRPF is better equipped and is taking care of all conflict zones across the country,” the government sources said.

Amid a fresh wave of violence, the decision taken last month to withdraw two battalions of the Assam Rifles from Manipur has been put into action. The two battalions of the Assam Rifles are to leave Manipur. An official notification on the move was issued on Monday.

Since May last year, more than 200 people have been killed and thousands left homeless in ethnic conflict between the Meiteis in the Imphal Valley and the Kukis in the adjacent hills. At least eight people have been killed and more than 12 injured in a new wave of violence that has included drone and missile attacks.

With PTI inputs