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Two firewood collectors killed in militant ambush in Manipur

Armed suspected militants opened fire on a group of firewood collectors in Imphal East district on Monday morning, leaving two dead. The attack occurred in a hillside area near Nongshum as more than a dozen people were gathering fuel.

LSN India · 19 October 2026

Two firewood collectors killed in militant ambush in Manipur

A group of firewood collectors came under fire in the Nongshum hills of Manipur's Imphal East district early Monday, resulting in at least two fatalities, according to accounts from survivors at the scene. The incident occurred around 7 a.m. when more than 10 collectors had ventured into the forested area to gather firewood. Eyewitnesses told reporters that the group was ambushed by armed individuals suspected to be militants, triggering the deadly assault. The exact circumstances surrounding the attack and the identities of the assailants remain unclear. Security forces have not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident or launched any visible investigation operations in the area. The attack underscores the security challenges persisting in parts of Manipur, where civilian populations in rural and semi-rural areas continue to face risks from armed groups. Local authorities have been approached for further details on the incident and any subsequent response measures.