Manipur: Two Children Killed in Suspected Rocket Attack in Bishnupur, Internet Shut Down in 5 Dist
A suspected rocket or mortar attack in Bishnupur killed two children, triggered protests and clashes, and led to internet shutdown across five districts.
IMPHAL- Fresh violence erupted in Manipur early Tuesday morning when a suspected bomb or rocket attack struck a civilian home in Tronglaobi Awang Leikai village under Moirang area in Bishnupur district, killing two young children and critically injuring their mother. The incident triggered widespread protests, during which a mob stormed a nearby CRPF camp, leading to firing by security forces that resulted in multiple civilian deaths and injuries.
According to police and official sources, the projectile — described variously as a bomb, mortar, or rocket — was allegedly fired from nearby hill areas by around 1:00–1:03 a.m. It directly hit the bedroom of a house belonging to Oinam Malemnganba, a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan currently posted outside the state.
The explosion killed his five-year-old son and six-month-old daughter on the spot or during treatment in Imphal. Their mother sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a hospital in Imphal, where she is undergoing treatment.
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Protests and Clashes News of the children’s deaths spread rapidly, sparking angry protests across the Imphal Valley and particularly in Bishnupur.
A large mob gathered near a CRPF camp, approximately 200 meters from the attack site in the Gelmon/Tronglaobi Maning area. Protesters accused security forces of failing to prevent the attack and allegedly stormed the camp, vandalized property, and set vehicles and oil tankers on fire.
Security personnel responded by opening fire to disperse the crowd. Reports indicate at least 2–3 civilians were killed in the firing, with several others injured.
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Additional protests and road blockades were reported in other parts of the valley.
Manipur Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh strongly condemned the initial attack as a “barbaric act” and “an assault on humanity.” He visited the injured mother in the hospital along with local MLA T Robindro and chaired a high-level security meeting at the state secretariat to review the law and order situation.
“The government is committed to restoring peace and normalcy at the earliest. Those responsible will be identified, hunted down, and dealt with firmly under the law. Such acts of terror will not be tolerated,” the CM stated. He appealed for unity and calm.
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In a bid to prevent further escalation and control the spread of rumours, the Manipur Home Department suspended mobile internet, broadband, VSAT, and VPN services for three days in five valley districts — Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur — starting from around 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Curfew-like restrictions and heightened security measures are in place in affected areas.
The incident comes against the backdrop of lingering ethnic tensions between communities in Manipur, which have persisted since the outbreak of widespread violence in 2023.
Some reports also mentioned fresh firing incidents in the Litan area of Ukhrul district earlier or around the same period, though details remain limited and appear separate from the Bishnupur events.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the situation remains tense with heavy deployment of security forces. Authorities have urged residents to maintain peace and avoid spreading unverified information.
This tragedy has once again highlighted the fragile security environment in the state. Further updates are awaited as investigations continue and casualty figures are officially confirmed.
