As Manipur works to bring back peace, the mysterious situation of drone bombings in Imphal West has become increasingly complex. Reports suggest that the Manipur Police’s explanation for the drone attacks is based on witness testimonies and evidence found on the scene, while the Indian Army is mainly depending on technology. The issue has been forwarded to the NIA for a thorough investigation.
During the ongoing investigation, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi debunked the idea of drone bombings as a “misleading narrative,” confirming that no traces of drone bombs were discovered during ground inspections. The Chief of Army Staff’s statement comes in response to the ex-DG of the Assam Rifles’s assertion that drones did not release any bombs.
The Manipur Police, the agency conducting the initial investigation, has continuously stated that drones were responsible for dropping bombs. Eyewitnesses, including CRPF and BSF personnel, confirmed these incidents on September 1 and 2. Furthermore, there were some people who suffered injuries as a result of the bombings.
Manipur Police officials mentioned that two high-ranking officers, including an IG, observed the drone attacks upon being notified about the events. In their official declaration, the Manipur Police characterized the drone attacks as unlike anything previously seen.
During a groundbreaking assault in Koutruk, Imphal West, reported Kuki rebels have utilized multiple RPGs with the help of advanced drones. The Manipur Police stated that the recent use of drone bombs to target security forces and civilians signifies a major escalation, even though they are typically used in general warfare. They also proposed that highly skilled professionals with technical knowledge may need to be included. The situation is being closely monitored by authorities, and police are ready to handle any unexpected events.
In contrast, during the Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2024, General Dwivedi discussed contentious topics surrounding the violence in Manipur. The Chief of the Army rejected the accusation of using weaponized drones to bomb civilians, describing it as a “false narrative.”
There was a story about drones releasing explosives. We carried out on-site investigations and discovered no proof of drone attacks. Another incorrect assertion was made about 900 anti-national individuals who had penetrated. There is no evidence to support that claim. General Dwivedi stated that he believes things will get better if we can manage these inaccurate stories.
PC Nair, the ex Director General of the Assam Rifles, previously claimed in a television interview that there were no drone attacks in Manipur, describing it as a false story. He said he confirmed this with officers in person and cited the Army Chief, who affirmed that no drones had dropped any bombs.
In reaction, IK Muivah, IG Operations of the Manipur Police, described Nair’s remarks as “regrettable, confusing, misleading, and poorly assessed, reflecting a lack of comprehension.” The Inspector General stated that they have reaffirmed their stance on the drone bombings through official media outlets and continue to support it.
While the Manipur Police depend on eyewitness reports, the NIA will also document them. Authorities state that various individuals from the nearby area, CRPF, BSF, and the Manipur Police have given testimonies, and the NIA is currently looking into the primary evidence found at the location. “We were notified of an assault in Koutruk.” Upon discovering that a machine valued at more than Rs 4 crore had been set on fire, senior police officials, including the IG, rushed to the location to uphold peace and order.
The drone bombings were observed by the officers. CRPF and BSF officials also witnessed drone dropping bombs the next day. A senior Manipur government official stated that they have gathered undeniable eyewitness testimonies and evidence that will be included in the NIA investigation. Authorities mentioned that the victims of the incident died from gunshot wounds, while a few people, including women, were hurt by drone strikes. Yet, according to sources from the Indian Army, they have confirmed that they have deployed systems in the location where the drones were reportedly spotted.
“We have established systems, and they did not detect any drone activity in that area on September 1.” The chances of the systems not catching multiple drone movements over many hours are slim. In addition, a senior Indian Army official, who requested to remain anonymous, mentioned that officers on the field did not find any proof of drone attacks.