Imphal, Oct. 10: Throwing caution to the winds after two militant attacks claimed eight of its troops in Manipur earlier this year, the CRPF are on high alert and undergoing guerrilla warfare training in the state.

Eight personnel of the paramilitary force on foot patrol along the Imphal-Jiribam national highway were killed in two separate attacks by militants early this year.

Militants also exploded a grenade at the office-cum-residential complex of chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, which was guarded by the force. However, no one was injured in the blast.

“We have changed our strategies after the two ambushes on our patrols. We are on high alert now and our troops have been trained to react immediately if there is any attack,” inspector-general of CRPF (Manipur-Nagaland sector) V.P.S. Panwar told The Telegraph on Wednesday.

Six battalions of the paramilitary force have been deployed in Manipur while another three are in Nagaland.

Of the six in Manipur, three battalions were deployed for protection of the Imphal-Jiribam highway while the other three for guarding the Greater Imphal area.

“Our main role is guarding vital installations and patrolling along the national highways. We are better trained now and ready to assist any sister force if our help is sought in counter-insurgency operations,” Panwar said.

The CRPF guards important government offices including the state secretariat, PWD complex and banks.

“Our duty is to prevent entry of unauthorised persons to the guarded areas and also ensure safety of those staying in the areas. If someone hurls a grenade from outside it is not our fault,” he said.

The officer, however, admitted that after the recent attacks on its troops, the force reviewed its strategies.

“But we will ensure that the common people are not harassed. I have instructed the troops to work in complete tandem with all the other forces,” he said.

Besides, awareness programmes on HIV/AIDS have also been included in the training regimen of the paramilitary forces. Manipur has a high incidence of HIV/AIDS cases.

“We have taken various measures to deal with the situation,” he said.

Sources said several personnel deployed in Manipur and Nagaland had contracted the virus while on leave.

On development activities, the inspector-general said the CRPF would launch an adult education project in both the states. “We are working on it and the project will be implemented very soon,” he said.