Suspected militants destroyed a Bailey Bridge over the Namban River in Manipur’s Kamjong district using IEDs, disrupting connectivity to remote villages. Police launched an investigation and search operation, while the Tangkhul Naga Long condemned the attack on critical public infrastructure.
Suspected militants allegedly destroyed a 130-foot Bailey Bridge over the Namban River in Manipur’s Kamjong district using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), severely disrupting road connectivity to several remote villages and prompting a major security operation, officials said on Wednesday.
According to police, the explosion occurred during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday between Phange and Chatric villages in the Naga-inhabited Kamjong district. The powerful blast caused extensive damage to the bridge, which had been serving as a crucial transportation link for residents of the mountainous region.
The Bailey Bridge, constructed in 2016 under the Central government’s flagship Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), connected Chatric and several nearby villages with the Kamjong district headquarters. The destruction of the bridge has left residents facing significant challenges in accessing essential services, markets, healthcare facilities, and administrative offices.
Police officials said that a Bolero pick-up vehicle belonging to a government organisation, parked on the bank of the Namban Lok River, was also set on fire by the unidentified suspected militants before they fled the area. Authorities believe the coordinated attack was intended to damage critical public infrastructure, disrupt transportation and communication, obstruct public movement, and spread fear among local residents.
A senior police official stated that villagers reported hearing a powerful explosion during the night. Preliminary findings indicate that high-intensity explosives were used, resulting in the collapse of a significant portion of the bridge and rendering it unusable.
Following the incident, police registered a suo motu case at Chandel Police Station and launched an investigation to identify those responsible. Security forces have also initiated an intensive search operation in the surrounding forested and hilly areas to trace the perpetrators and prevent further acts of violence.
Meanwhile, the Tangkhul Naga Long, one of the leading organisations representing the Tangkhul Naga community, strongly condemned the attack. In a statement, the organisation said the bridge collapsed at its midpoint following the impact of a powerful bomb blast during the early hours of Wednesday.
The organisation described the bridge as a lifeline for thousands of people living in the remote hill district. It noted that the structure played a vital role in facilitating the movement of residents, essential commodities, emergency medical services, government officials, and students. With the bridge destroyed, road connectivity between the Kamjong district headquarters and Sahamphung Sub-Divisional headquarters has been completely severed, causing immense hardship to local communities.
Officials are currently assessing the full extent of the damage and exploring temporary as well as long-term measures to restore connectivity at the earliest. Authorities have assured residents that every effort is being made to rebuild the damaged infrastructure while maintaining heightened security in the region.
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The latest incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of critical public infrastructure in conflict-affected areas of Manipur, where attacks on roads and bridges not only disrupt daily life but also hamper development and the delivery of essential public services. Investigations remain underway as police and security agencies continue efforts to bring those responsible to justice.
