Centre forms committee to probe drone-borne explosive attacks in Manipur

The Centre has established a high-level committee to investigate the use of drones by militants to drop explosives in Manipur. This committee comprises top officers from the army, state police, and paramilitary forces, officials familiar with the matter said.

The team includes the lieutenant general of the army’s 57 Mountain Division, the additional DGP of Manipur police, a major general from Assam Rifles (South), and inspector generals from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Border Security Force (BSF). They will collaborate with technical experts to analyze how militants are modifying drones to deliver explosives.

The formation of the committee follows four reported incidents of drones dropping explosives in the past three days. The most recent case occurred on Tuesday morning, when a drone dropped explosives on the terrace of a Manipur Rifles post near Singla Dam. Fortunately, there were no casualties.

The committee will also seek expertise from BSF officers experienced in dealing with drone-related threats along the Indo-Pakistan border in Punjab. So far, security forces have recovered one drone from a militant camp in Kangpokpi during search operations. While drones were previously used for surveillance by militants from Kuki and Meitei groups, Sunday’s attack marked the first instance of weaponized drone use.