IMPHAL, October 30: Barely 24 hours after the blast at Dharamsala in the heart of the city, a high intensity blast from an Improvised Explosive Device rocked Moirangkhom opposite Krishnapremi Oil City this morning killing two van drivers and injuring five other persons.
The device that exploded at around 6.30 am was planted behind a waiting shed located at the area and was reportedly detonated with the help of a remote control device.
A second IED explosion was also reported from Moidangpok under Patsoi Police station, Imphal West district at around 10.45 am. However, there was no human casualty from that explosion.
The intensity of the first blast was so powerful that it not only damaged the waiting shed and a nearby milk booth but the shrapnel released also killed two drivers and injured five others at the Moreh van parking a few metre away.
The deceased have been identified as L Brojen, 32, son of late Sitol of Andro and at present staying at Palace Gate and Holnung Tholthang, 42, son of Tolkhothang of Bijang Village in Churachanpur district and at present staying at Langol Games Village, Zone-IV.
Brojen was killed on the spot while Tholthang succumbed to his injuries at Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Hospital.
The five injured were identified as Laishram Rajen, 48, son of Jatra of Kakwa Naorem Leikai, N Obidiya, 26, son of late Bijoy of Thanaojam Mayai Leikai, Robert Paite, 31, son of Jangkhul of Terakhong Churachanpur at present staying at Games Village, Samom Naoba alias Bikram, 28, son of Shyamkhanai of Palace Gate and Sujam Baite, 66, son of late Chongkhonthang of Moreh Ward number 1 who is a passenger. The condition of Rajen is stated to be critical as he sustained shrapnel injuries on his head and has been shifted to Shija Hospital.
Soon after the blast, Deputy Chief Minsiter Gaikhangam arrived at the blast site to take stock of the situation.
Police sources while providing details on the Moidangpok blast said the bomb was planted under a tree near Ibudhou Korouhanba Lai Maning Lampak, which is a known resting place ROP team of 40 AR and 18 Sikh Light Infantry.
The sources said that the bomb was first detected by locals and reported to the police. However, the IED exploded just minutes after a team of bomb expert arrived at the scene.
In the wake of the blast, security measures have been tightened up in and around Imphal and heavy security blanket has been deployed. Security forces also conducted a massive search in every strategic corners of Imphal using metal detector and sniffer dogs.