A Manipur Police commando head constable was killed during an anti-drug operation in Thoubal district after he was allegedly stabbed by a suspect being taken to recover concealed narcotics, police said.
The incident took place on Wednesday evening in the Moijing Meena Bazar area under the Thongkhong region of Thoubal district, per a report by Hindustan Times.
Commando killed during anti-drug operation
The deceased officer was identified as head constable Khoirom Suresh of the Thoubal district commando unit.
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According to police, a team of commandos had apprehended Md Naobi alias Naocha (25), a resident of Moijing Leingoijin, in connection with a drug-related case. During questioning, the suspect allegedly disclosed the location where narcotics had been hidden.
Police personnel then accompanied him to the site to recover the substances.
Suspect allegedly attacks officer
During the operation, a confrontation reportedly broke out between the suspect and the police team. Authorities said Naobi allegedly stabbed head constable Suresh multiple times before fleeing from the scene.
The injured officer was rushed to Thoubal District Hospital for treatment. However, he later succumbed to his injuries, police said.
Following the incident, police launched a search operation and arrested Naobi along with another suspect, Salman Khan (30), a resident of Moijing Maibam Leikai in Thoubal district, per HT.
Investigators are continuing efforts to identify and arrest any other individuals who may have been involved in the attack.
Security forces arrest militants
In a separate development, security forces arrested five militants linked to different banned underground outfits over the past 48 hours.
According to police quoted by HT, four active cadres belonging to three proscribed organisations were apprehended on Tuesday near Khangtung village, close to Indo-Myanmar border pillar number 67 in Chandel district. Those arrested included one cadre each from the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), along with two cadres of the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK).
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In another operation, security forces arrested an active PREPAK cadre from Sawombung Khunjao near the Primary Health Centre under Lamlai Police Station in Imphal East district.
Police said investigations into both cases are ongoing.
