NEW DELHI, Sept 19: At least two Assam Rifles personnel were killed and at least four were injured when their vehicle was ambushed on the outskirts of the Manipur capital city of Imphal by armed militants on Friday.
The road where they were attacked leads to Churachandpur. A vehicle-based column of troops of 33 Assam Rifles was moving from its Patsoi Company Operating Base to Nambol Company Operating Base. Militants of People’s Liberation Army (PLA), a valley-based banned insurgent group, is suspected to be behind the attack, sources said, although no group has claimed responsibility.
The incident took place in the district’s Nambol Sabal Leikai area around 5:50 p.m., they said. The injured have been taken to a hospital by police and locals, another official said. Search operations are ongoing to apprehend the terrorists involved in the incident, a statement said.
The Governor of Manipur Ajay Kumar Bhalla took to X and “strongly condemned the attack on security forces.” “The Governor expressed profound grief and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the martyred soldiers, acknowledging their unwavering courage and dedication in protecting the nation. He further conveyed prayers for the speedy recovery of those who sustained injuries in the incident,” the social media post said.
The attack happened a week after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to Manipur last week since ethnic violence erupted over two years ago and giving a call for shunning violence and strengthening dialogue to build a strong bridge of harmony between the State’s hill and valley districts. The attack on the armed forces was carried out on the same road that Mr Modi had taken during his visit last week.
(Manas Dasgupta)
