Three Assam Rifles personnel were injured on Friday in an ambush by militants along the India-Myanmar border in Tengnoupal district, Manipur, during an early morning patrol, according to the PRO and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence.

The troops retaliated with controlled force to ensure civilian safety, and operations are ongoing with additional forces being deployed. The injured personnel were airlifted to a military hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, coordinated security operations across Manipur on Thursday led to multiple arrests and the destruction of large-scale poppy plantations.

Troops arrested a 42-year-old individual from his residence at Kontha Ahallup Makha Leikai under Heingang Police Station in Imphal East district. During the operation, personnel recovered two No. 36 high-explosive grenades, a mobile handset and an Aadhaar card.

In a separate operation the same day, another person was arrested from his home at Luker Mayai Leikai under Patsoi Police Station in Imphal West district for alleged involvement in recruiting youths for unlawful activities. One Aadhaar card was seized from his possession. Security Forces arrested three individuals from different locations in Imphal East district.

The three were allegedly involved in extortion targeting the public, oil pumps, private schools and government colleges in the area. A receipt linked to the extortion activities and two mobile phones were recovered from them. Security Forces, in coordination with the Forest Department, destroyed approximately six acres of poppy cultivation in the Ngamju hill range under Purul Police Station in Senapati district.

In another large-scale operation the same day, Security Forces, working jointly with the Forest Department and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), destroyed nearly 103 acres of poppy plantations across the Koubru hill range and adjoining areas under Kangpokpi Police Station in Kangpokpi district.

During the operation, authorities also demolished 30 huts and destroyed 17 bags of fertilizers, 37 packets of herbicides, 13 bags of salt and various cultivation equipment found at the sites. The series of successful actions highlight the continuing efforts of Security Forces to curb unlawful activities and eliminate illegal poppy cultivation across Manipur.