CM, Defence Minister condemn the attack, term it as an act of Coward
IT News
Imphal, Nov 13:
At what could be term as a deadly ambush by armed militant group to a convoy of 46 Assam Rifle troopers near Sialsi village under the Behiang Police station, 6 including the Commanding officer of the 46 AR, his minor son and wife along with 3 other personnel were reported killed today morning.
Assam Rifles officials are yet to release any official press statement in connection with the incident, but report said that the incident took place around 10 am. However, a source said that the ambush could have been carried out by heavily armed cadres suspected to be members of the PLA.
Sialsi village is under the Singhat Sub Division and the ambush site is under the Behiang Police station and is in close proximity to the Indo-Myanmar border. The source added that the AR troopers too retaliated and the gunfight took place for hours.
According to official reports, the Commanding Officer of 46 Assam Rifles Viplav Tripathi visited his Behiang Coy post on Friday, November 12, and stayed there for the night.
Manipur Police said the ambush was reported near Behiang, about 4 km from the Behiang police station, at about 10 am on Saturday.
“Col Tripathi was returning back from Behiang when his vehicle and the escort vehicle were ambushed by an unknown underground militant group,” a Manipur police spokesperson said.
Sources said Col Tripathi, his wife, their son and two other jawans were killed in the ambush. Five other jawans have been injured and taken to the Behiang primary health centre but were later succumbed to injury.
The security forces have reinforced the area and a combing operation is being carried out till the filing of this report. However, there are no reports of any arrest till now.
Even as the source said that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), is suspected to be behind the attack, no armed rebel group including the PLA has so far claimed the attack as of now.
Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh condemned the “cowardly attack” on Twitter.
Condemning the attack, the Chief Minister said the perpetrators will be brought to justice. “Strongly condemn the cowardly attack on a convoy of 46 AR which has reportedly killed few personnel including the CO & his family at CCpur today. The State forces & Paramilitary are already on their job to track down the militants. The perpetrators will be brought to justice,” the chief minister tweeted.
Congress termed the terrorist attack as a ‘national security breach under the BJP rule’, both in Centre and state. “We are shocked by the news of deadly terror attack in Manipur resulting in the death of an Indian Army colonel, his family and soldiers of 46AR,” the party tweeted from its official handle.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh condemned the cowardly attack and offered his condolences to the bereaved families. “The cowardly attack on an Assam Rifles convoy in Churachandpur, Manipur is extremely painful & condemnable. The nation has lost 5 brave soldiers including CO 46 AR and two family members. My condolences to the bereaved families. The perpetrators will be brought to justice soon,” Rajnath Singh tweeted.
“Strongly condemn the dastardly attack on Assam Rifles at CCpur in Manipur. Extremely saddened to learn about the martyrdom of CO and his wife. My sincere prayers with all the martyrs. May God heal the injured,” BJP leader Sambit Patra tweeted.
