Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh's chopper was ambushed by suspected National Socialist Council of Nagaland (I-M) militants in Ukhrul district on Monday morning. Two Manipur Rifles jawans were injured in the attack, The Times of India reported.
The militants started firing at the helicopter when it landed. Deputy chief minister Gaikhangam was also travelling in the same chopper. They immediately flew back to Imphal after the attack.
The senior leaders had taken the chopper from Imphal at 9.30 am to go to Ukhrul to inaugurate a hospital and other government projects.
Ahead of the chief minister's visit, a series of bomb blasts took place in the district on Sunday night, The New Indian Express reported. The same militant outfit is believed to have orchestrated the explosions. One jawan was injured when two militants hurled hand grenades in Hundung area. The newspaper report said security was beefed up in the region ahead of Singh's visit.
The NSCN was formed in 1980 by Isak Chishi Swu, Thuingaleng Muivah and SS Kaphlang, with the aim to establish a sovereign state, "Nagalim". The group is considered a militant organisation by the Indian government. In 1988, it split into two organisations, the NSCN (I-M) led by Swu and Muivah, and the other, NSCN-K led by Kaphlang.
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