IMPHAL, June 8: Even as the AK series rifle which has been missing from the Manipur Rifles post at Ukhrul remains untraceable, a rifleman of the 5th Manipur Rifles at Thingtubung of Tamenglong District is absconding along with ammunition and loaded guns including his service weapon from his post.
The missing arms are one AK Rifle, two Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs) and an Insas Rifle.
The incident reportedly occurred at the 5th MR post located at Thingtubung of Tamenglong District yesterday at about 2:45 pm.
The post under Tousem sub-division is over 100 kilometres away from Tamenglong district headquarters and was set up near the bridge No 40 of the railway so as to guard the labourers and construction work of the railway line.
According to a source, the deserter has been identified as Jamkholal Lupho of Maphou Kuki village under Sadar Hills with rifleman No 022006178.
Speaking to IFP, Themthing Ngashangba, Superintendent of Police, Tamenglong said that the concerned Tousem Police Station has registered a case in connection with the incident.
When information about the incident was received, posts of Territorial Army under 13 AR, 10 AR, 22 AR, 143 CRPF and police stations were placed on full-alert, he said.
A search operation to track down the deserter is being intensely conducted by a combined force including a large number of personnel from battalion HQ of 5th MR located at Khongjaron of Tamenglong District.
However, the deserter MR personnel remains untraceable along with the stolen guns and ammunition till late this evening, sources said.