<p>Guwahati: The Army on Thursday said at least 10 suspected militants were killed during a gunfight with security forces in Manipur's Chandel district, close to the border with Myanmar. </p><p>The Army, however, did not disclose the name of the group to which the slain persons belonged. </p><p>In a post on X, Eastern Command of the Army said the incident took place near New Samtal village after Assam Rifles launched an operation on Wednesday based on intelligence about movement of armed militants.</p><p>"During the operation, the troops were fired upon by suspected cadres to which they quickly reacted, redeployed and retaliated in a calibrated and measured manner. In the ensuing firefight, 10 cadres were neutralised and a sizable quantity of arms and ammunition have been recovered," said the post on X.</p><p><strong>Major operation</strong></p><p>This was one of the major operations against insurgents in conflict-torn Manipur since the President's Rule was promulgated in February. The forces have arrested several militants and seized weapons -- both in the Meitei-dominated Valley and the Kuki-inhabited hill districts. But the Centre's inability to find a solution to the conflict so far has faced severe criticism. </p><p>The state has remained under President's Rule since February 13 after N. Biren Singh resigned as the CM, due to his alleged failure to end the Meitei-Kuki conflict. More than 250 people have died in the conflict since May 2023.</p>
<p>Guwahati: The Army on Thursday said at least 10 suspected militants were killed during a gunfight with security forces in Manipur's Chandel district, close to the border with Myanmar. </p><p>The Army, however, did not disclose the name of the group to which the slain persons belonged. </p><p>In a post on X, Eastern Command of the Army said the incident took place near New Samtal village after Assam Rifles launched an operation on Wednesday based on intelligence about movement of armed militants.</p><p>"During the operation, the troops were fired upon by suspected cadres to which they quickly reacted, redeployed and retaliated in a calibrated and measured manner. In the ensuing firefight, 10 cadres were neutralised and a sizable quantity of arms and ammunition have been recovered," said the post on X.</p><p><strong>Major operation</strong></p><p>This was one of the major operations against insurgents in conflict-torn Manipur since the President's Rule was promulgated in February. The forces have arrested several militants and seized weapons -- both in the Meitei-dominated Valley and the Kuki-inhabited hill districts. But the Centre's inability to find a solution to the conflict so far has faced severe criticism. </p><p>The state has remained under President's Rule since February 13 after N. Biren Singh resigned as the CM, due to his alleged failure to end the Meitei-Kuki conflict. More than 250 people have died in the conflict since May 2023.</p>