Six Assam Rifles personnel killed in ambush in Manipur

Imphal

A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and five jawans of Assam Rifles were today killed in an ambush by militants in Chandel district of Manipur near the Indo-Myanmar border.

An Assam Rifles convoy was attacked by heavily armed militants around 1 PM in Joupi Hengshi area of Chandel when the security personnel were returning after inspecting a landslide site in the interior tribal district, defence and police sources said.

The slain personnel belonged to 29 Assam Rifles.

It is suspected that two or more militant groups jointly carried out the attack.

More troops were rushed to the area and a massive search operation is underway, they said.

The incident occurred near Joupi village within the limits of Molcham Police Station, a police officer said.

Last year, 18 army personnel were killed in the same district in an ambush by NSCN(K) militants.

Subedar Baldeo Sharma was among the victims.

The Assam Rifles party was returning to their camp in Joupi after inspecting a landslide in the Holenjang village.

Rajnath orders “strongest” action against militants in Manipur

New Delhi

Home Minister Rajnath Singh today directed security forces to take “strongest possible action” against militants involved in killing six Assam Rifles personnel in Manipur.

Singh reviewed the situation with Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and other top officials in the security establishment following the killing of a Junior Commissioned Officer and five jawans of Assam Rifles in an ambush in Manipur’s Chandel district close to Indo-Myanmar border, official sources said.

The Home Minister also spoke to Assam Rifles Director General, who apprised him of the situation and action taken so far.

Singh expressed sadness over the incident.

An Assam Rifles convoy was attacked by heavily armed militants around 1 PM in Joupi Hengshi area of Chandel when the security personnel were returning after inspecting a landslide site in the interior tribal district, defence and police sources said.

It is suspected that two or more militant groups jointly carried out the attack.

Reinforcements have been rushed to the scene of the ambush and a massive combing operation is under way.

Last year, 18 army personnel were killed in the same district in an ambush by NSCN(K) militants.

PTI