Two men were shot dead and two others injured when suspected militants allegedly opened fire on a group of firewood collectors in Manipur's Imphal East district on Monday (October 19, 2026), officials said.

More than 10 people had gone to the hills near Nongshum around 7 a.m. to collect firewood when they were ambushed by the suspected militants, they said.

Two men died on the spot, while two others sustained gunshot injuries, officials said, adding that efforts were underway to retrieve the bodies.

Around three people were yet to be traced, they said.

An injured man, who was taken to a private hospital in Imphal, said, "While we were loading the firewood, we were suddenly fired upon."