Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Tuesday paid their last respects to two Assam Rifles personnel who were killed in an ambush in Ukhrul district on July 6, during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony held at Imphal Airport.
The Governor laid wreaths on the mortal remains of Warrant Officer (General Duty) Balwant Singh and Havildar (General Duty) Chandra Mohan Singh of the 40th Battalion, Assam Rifles, honouring their sacrifice in the line of duty.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh also offered floral wreaths and observed a moment of silence in memory of the fallen soldiers, paying tribute to their courage, dedication and supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation.
The ceremony was conducted with full military honours. A ceremonial Guard of Honour was accorded to the slain personnel as officers and personnel of the Army, Assam Rifles and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) paid their final respects.
Among those present were Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Corps Lt. Gen. Girish Kalia, Inspector General Assam Rifles (South) Maj. Gen. Gaurav Sharma, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, legislators, senior civil and police officials, and senior officers of the Army, Assam Rifles and CAPF.
The wreath-laying ceremony was held before the mortal remains of the two soldiers were flown to their native places for their last rites.
The two personnel were killed in an ambush by suspected armed militants near the Lungshang River along National Highway-202 in Ukhrul district on July 6. The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders, civil society organisations and community bodies, many of whom have called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident.