A National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe has revealed that the drones used in the September 2024 attacks in Koutruk and Kadangband, Imphal, were supplied by vendors based in Delhi and Haryana.
Citing NIA report, a prominent media house reported that Khaigoulen Kipgen from Gamngai village emerged as the key buyer of these drone bombs, procuring them from Delhi-based Mayank Sharma and Rohtak-based Vikram Chaudhary for a hefty sum. The investigation disclosed that Kipgen paid for the drones and associated accessories, including batteries, through both cash and online transactions.
The NIA, which took over the case on September 20, has been investigating the drone-assisted attack carried out by suspected Kuki militants in Koutruk, Kadangband, and Senjam Chirang on September 1. In its report submitted to the NIA court, the agency also named Laikangbam Albert Singh (36) as another individual who purchased drones and batteries from Sharma and Chaudhary.
The brutal attack, which involved the dropping of over 40 bombs—the first-ever drone-assisted attack in Manipur’s history—claimed the life of 31-year-old Ngangbam Surbala Devi and injured her six-year-old daughter. Locals described the incident as a relentless bombardment from drones flying over the hills for hours, leaving the community in shock and prompting a robust investigation by national authorities.
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