Two Assam Rifles Personnel Killed in Manipur Ambush

Unknown assailants attacked an Assam Rifles patrol in Ukhrul district, Manipur, on the afternoon of 6 July 2026, resulting in the deaths of two personnel and injuries to several others. The attack occurred near Nungshangkhong, approximately 16 kilometres east of Ukhrul town, around 1:30 PM.

The affected soldiers were from the 40 Assam Rifles detachment based in Sangshak. Officials have identified the deceased as Warrant Officer Balwant Singh and Havildar Chandra Mohan Singh. Following the ambush, exchanges of gunfire were reported in the area until approximately 4:30 PM.

Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera, Director General of the Assam Rifles, expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased. Additionally, Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur, condemned the attack, declaring that the government would not tolerate such acts of violence. He stated, "The government will not tolerate such brutal violence and will not remain a mute spectator to these atrocities."

According to some sources, the ambush may have been carried out by members of the Eastern Flank faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN), commonly referred to as the Isak-Muivah faction. This faction has been part of a ceasefire agreement with the Indian government since July 1997.

However, the NSCN issued a statement through its “information ministry,” asserting that they were not involved in the attack and had no knowledge of such a faction existing. The organisation reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire agreement and its ongoing negotiations with the Indian government regarding the Indo-Naga political dialogue. The group stated that it would never engage in actions that could undermine the peace process.