For the first time, crisis-hit Manipur saw the use of drones to drop bombs, signalling a major escalation in the state hit by ethnic violence between the Meitei community and the Kuki tribes. Until yesterday, drones were used only for reconnaissance.
The Manipur Police on Sunday said suspected Kuki insurgents fired RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades) using high-tech drones. They said the use of drones to drop bombs on security forces and civilians marked a "significant escalation".