A soldier from the Border Security Force (BSF), Constable Mithun Mandal, was killed during firing by militants in the Litan area of Ukhrul district in Manipur. He was from Bhagjan Tola village in West Bengal.
Police said that security forces have started search operations in the area to catch the militants responsible for the attack.
The Litan area has been tense for some time due to clashes between the Kuki and Tangkhul Naga communities. These conflicts have increased since early February, soon after the new Chief Minister took office. Manipur has three main communities: Meitei, Kuki-Zo, and Naga. Ukhrul district is mostly inhabited by Nagas.
Earlier, on May 3, 2023, large-scale violence broke out between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. Since then, about 250 people have died and around 60,000 people have been forced to leave their homes.
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh expressed grief over the death of Constable Mithun Mandal. He said the soldier was seriously injured by a bullet while on patrol and later died at RIMS Hospital in Imphal. He also paid tribute to him and offered condolences to his family.
