Weapons used in latest attacks in Manipur not military grade 

The use of drones, assault rifles or rockets is not new to Manipur; they have been used in the ongoing ethnic conflict since May last year. But the recent attacks show significant improvements made by the fighters in the lethality of the weapons. While drones were earlier used for surveillance, short-range rockets and mortars have been regularly fired through the conflict.

Last Friday, a suspected militant rocket attack on the residence of former CM late Mairembam Koireng Singh in Moirang left one person dead and five others injured. The Moirang town in the Meitei-dominated Bishnupur district is a fair distance away from the hills where the rocket is suspected to have been fired from.

Sources said the rocket travelled at least 3 km before hitting the former CM’s house. The attack came days after bombs rained on Meitei-dominated Koutruk village in Imphal West district on September 1, killing two. These bombs were dropped by drones leading to extensive damage in the village.

Sources said between 30-40 bombs are suspected to have been dropped that night. Both the rockets and the bombs, whose fragments are being analysed by the police and security forces, are crude, sources said.

“The rockets are quite sophisticated. They weigh up to 30 kg and can be 10 ft long. Yet, they can travel up to 5 km. They are made using locally available pipes, which are filled with gunpowder, and an ignition thread in the tail. The head is packed with 2-3 kg of explosives and shrapnel. The rocket travels until the gunpowder in the tail lasts, which is akin to the way the Diwali fireworks (rockets) travel. The head of the rocket explodes on impact,” a senior Manipur police officer said.

The rocket that hit the former CM’s house was not guided, said another security officer. “These are not guided rockets. The fighters just give it direction by keeping them on an inclined plank. They can fall anywhere and explode,” the officer said.