Guwahati: Two terror outfits namely People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and Manipur Naga People’s Front (MNPF) claimed responsibility for Saturday’s Manipur ambush attack, where seven persons including five Assam Rifles personnel were killed on the spot. A commanding AR officer along with his wife and minor son also succumbed to injuries in the incident that took place at a locality near to Sehken village under Behiang police station in Churachandpur district.
46 AR colonel Viplav Tripathi along with his wife-son duo and soldiers Suman Swargiary, NK Nayak, RP Meena and Shyamal Das faced the brutal attack, while returning from a forward camp near the Indo-Myanmar international border. The rebels first exploded an improvised device on the road and then started indiscriminate firing on the convoy. Some injured soldiers were admitted into Behiang primary health centre.
From President Ramnath Kovind to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah to Union defence minister Rajnath Singh, every one strongly condemned the attack on the AR convoy. Paying homage to those soldiers and family members who have been martyred, PM Modi said in a tweet, “Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness.”
Defence minister Rajnath Singh also condemned the attack saying that the cowardly attack on the convoy was extremely painful and condemnable. The nation has lost 5 brave soldiers including CO 46 AR and two family members, he said, adding that the perpetrators would be brought to justice soon. Singh also informed that the paramilitary forces and commandos had already launched a combing operation to nab the culprits.
Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh and Assam government chief Himanta Biswa Sarma promptly twitted condemning the incident and expressing deepest condolence with the bereaved families and solidarity with the forces in their fight against terrorism. CM Biren Singh revealed that the militants came from Myanmar and probably would try to return back to their hideouts in the jungles there.
Terror outfits claim responsibility for Manipur ambush, condemnations pour on
