New Delhi: The commanding officer of 46 Assam Rifles battalion, his wife and son, along with four soldiers were killed in an ambush in Manipur on Saturday, PTI reported. Other injured personnel have been evacuated to Behiang Primary Health Centre, The Frontier Manipur reported.
The incident took place at around 10 am on Saturday near S Sekhen village, Singngat sub division in Churachandpur district, close to the Myanmar border.
Sources told The Frontier Manipur that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were used by the militants before firing several rounds in the attack.
According to PTI, no militant organisation has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.
According to NDTV, Colonel Viplav Tripathy had gone to a forward camp on Saturday and was returning when his convoy was ambushed. Police sources told NDTV that this is the first time that civilians have died in an ambush in this area of the district.
“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 & Para military are already on their job to track down the militants. The perpetrators will be brought to justice,” chief minister N. Biren Singh wrote on Twitter.
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 & Para military are already on their job to track down the militants. The perpetrators will be brought to justice.
— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) November 13, 2021
Condemning the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “I pay homage to those soldiers and family members who have been martyred today. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness.”
Strongly condemn the attack on the Assam Rifles convoy in Manipur. I pay homage to those soldiers and family members who have been martyred today. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 13, 2021
President Ram Nath Kovind also tweeted, condemning the attack: “The attack on the Assam Rifles convoy that led to martyrdom of our soldiers and family members in Manipur deserves unreserved condemnation. This cowardly act reaffirms our resolve to root out terror in all its forms and manifestations. We stand united with the bereaved families.”
The attack on the Assam Rifles convoy that led to martyrdom of our soldiers and family members in Manipur deserves unreserved condemnation. This cowardly act reaffirms our resolve to root out terror in all its forms and manifestations. We stand united with the bereaved families.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 13, 2021
(With inputs from PTI)