Drones Available in Markets Could've Been Modified With Hook to Carry Bombs in Manipur Attacks: Govt Officials

The drones used by militants to drop bombs in Imphal West’s Senjam Chirang Maning Leikai and Koutruk, which led to two deaths, appear to be the ones that are commonly available in the market and used for photography or delivery, senior government officials told CNN-News amid apprehensions that foreign powers were meddling in Manipur’s internal conflict.

A Manipur government officer, speaking to CNN-News18, said: “Prima facie, it looks like a delivery drone modified to carry a bomb. It seems a hook was added to carry the crude bomb and the hook releases on the press of a button.”

Officials said similar delivery drones have been sighted in the last 16 months. “Such drones were used for surveillance by both Meitei and Kuki groups since violence began 16 months ago,” a police officer told CNN-News18.

Manipur Police has commissioned a group of experts to study the drone that was seized from Kharam Vaiphei, Kangpokpi district, on September 2. Sources told CNN-News18 that experts from IIT have been called in to examine the seized drone.

Anti-drone tech deployed

Officials confirmed that Assam Rifles has set up anti-drone equipment with a range of 8-10 kilometres. The newly deployed equipment is similar to what was already in place on the Bishnupur- Churachandpur border in the state. Manipur Police has also reached out to NSG which has expertise in anti-drone technology.

“There is a host of anti-drone technology available but it is expensive. The DRDO-manufactured ones can cost up to Rs 10 crore. So, it may not be feasible to deploy this over a large area. But we will discuss with Manipur Police about the other options,” an NSG official said.

BSF uses tripod-mounted anti-drone guns. Officials said anti-drone equipment of both BSF and CRPF are being considered for procurement.

Kuki Groups Deny Role

Manipur Police has blamed Kuki groups for the attacks but Kuki Student Organisation denied their involvement.

In a statement, KSO said: “Since December 2023, the utilisation of drone bombs against the Kukis by Meiteis has been mentioned but nobody paid heed. Claims that members of KNF received specialised drone attack training in Myanmar need to be corroborated with evidence.”

BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh alleged that Kuki organisation ITLF was accepting donations to procure drones. In a post on X, Singh, who is the son-in-law of chief minister N Biren Singh, called for a ban on ITLF under UAPA if it was established that the organisation was indulging in drone terror. An ITLF spokesperson, however, told CNN-News18 that the receipt out on social media was fake. A top Manipur Police officer said the allegation will be investigated.