DARK NIGHT IN MANIPUR: PEOPLE TURN OFF LIGHTS AFTER MULTIPLE DRONE SIGHTINGS

NEW DELHI: Residents in the outskirts of Manipur's Bishnupur and Imphal East districts switched off the lights on Friday night after multiple drone sightings were reported, according to news agency PTI citing officials.

This comes after the recent incidents where militants used drones to drop bombs on people in two nearby locations in Imphal West district.

An official said that security forces are maintaining high alert in the peripheral areas to keep a close watch on the movement of large groups of people.

In Bishnupur district, several illumination rounds were fired into the sky, further adding to the panic and confusion among the public. It remains unclear whether the rounds were fired by security forces or others.

Earlier in the day, suspected militants launched rocket attacks at the residence of Manipur's first chief minister Mairembam Koireng, killing one and injuring six others.

Meanwhile, security forces in response destroyed three bunkers in the neighboring Churachandpur district. "Militants deployed long-range rockets among the civilian population in two locations of Bishnupur district in one of which one senior citizen civilian expired and six other civilians were injured," Manipur police said in a statement.

Additionally, aerial patrolling has been conducted using a military helicopter, and high-level security meetings have been held to assess the situation.

The first instance of drones being used as a weapon in Manipur was reported on September 1 in Koutruk village, Imphal West district. Guns were also used in the attack killing two persons and injuring nine others.

The following day, another drone attack occurred in Senjam Chirang, approximately three kilometers away, resulting in injuries to three individuals.