IMPHAL, Oct 20: Atleast three jawans of the 44th Assam Rifles C-company were injured when a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded this morning in Ukhrul district.
Meanwhile, MPA- the armed wing of the UNLF, has claimed that it was behind the attack and three security personnel were killed and many other were injured during the fatal assault.
In a correspondence to the media, the group stated that a shoot-out between the MPA and security forces happened at Kangpat village this morning around 10 am.
The shoot-out occurred when the 241 unit of the MPA divided into three teams were moving around Kangpat Khunlel came across a team of the security forces, the MPA further claimed.
On the other hand, sources said the Assam Rifles jawans were on their routine foot patrol when the explosion took place around 9:30 am in between Kangpat Khunou and Kangpat Khullen, Nambisa under Chasad Police station.
The three injured jawans were reportedly evacuated to the Leimakhong Unit Military Hospital.
They have been identified as Havildar Ram Kripal, Rupan and Indrajit Singh.
Meanwhile, no formal intimation has been given to the concerned police till the filing of this report.
The report comes barely a week after a similar attack was carried out on a patrol team of 41 AR September 14 at Nungsankhong, Ukhrul.
The proscribed People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had claimed responsibility for the attack.
Meanwhile, miscreants placed a hand grenade at the Pishumthong Oinam Leikai residence of Deputy Commissioner Thoubal, Takhelambam Ranjit, 47, son of T Tomba Singh today.
The bomb was found at around 5 am without the safety pin.
Later, bomb experts retrieved the grenade and safely disposed it off at Kiyamgei area.
Meanwhile, a sit-in-demonstration was staged in protest against the bomb threat organised by the Pishumthong residents.
The protestors appealed against such violent activities being carried out in populated residential areas.
In yet another violence related incident, unidentified miscreants shot two rounds towards the residence of Toijam Itobi Singh, a member of 10 – Top Naoriya Zila Parishad.
The family members said that the attack occurred at night on October 19 at 11 pm and window panes adjacent to the road were broken in the attack adding that one bullet penetrated the walls of the house. However, none of the family members was injured.
When asked about the incident, the family members said there had been no monetary demand from any organization adding that Itobi also holds the post of president of the Manipur State Panchayat. A police case has been registered by the Porompat Police station in this regard.
Meanwhile, a sit-in-protest was organized against the gun attack at the gate of Itobi by the meira paibis of the locality in which placards displaying “No gun shot inside residential area” and “Truth seeking brothers should not repeat such incident in the future” were displayed.