IMPHAL, May 19: At least four Imphal East district commando personnel including a Sub-Inspector were wounded when suspected underground militants triggered a powerful Impro-vised Explosive Device (IED) on a Road Opening Party team along Khudengthabi-Kwatha road under Moreh police station today at around 1.30 pm.
The ROP team was put to task for the visit of Parliamentary Secretary (Home) L Susindro.
The injured commando personnel have been identified as Sub-Inspector Lalmin- thang Hmangte (33) s/o Letninthang Hmangte of Thangkanphei in Kangpokpi, Constable Ak Martinstar s/o Kumar of Naharup Huirem Leikai, Sarungbam Gaurahari (28) (Rifleman of 6 MR attached to Imphal East district commando) s/o Kriti of Andro Khunou and Naorem Biswanath (31) (Rifleman of 6 MR attached to Imphal East district commando) s/o Biramani of Top Khongnangkhong. According to sources, two teams of Imphal East district commando posted at Moreh were sent in advance to clear the road for Parliamentary Secretary L Susindro who went to attend Kwatha Lai Haraoba. The Parliamentary Secretary was accompanied by SP Tengnoupal, Additional SP and two teams of Imphal East district commando. When the ROP team was about to reach Kwatha junction, a powerful IED planted by suspected underground militants exploded injuring four of them. The commando personnel retaliated, it said.
Two commando personnel who suffered serious injuries in the attack were evacuated from the spot by an army helicopter and are undergoing treatment at Shija Hospital while the other two injured were taken to Tengnoupal PHC for first aid. Later both of them were also shifted to Shija Hospital.
Condition of Gaurahari nand Biswanath is said to be critical. Soon after the blast, a team of Moreh police led by Additional SP Tengnoupal rushed to the spot and inspected the blast site. A large number of police personnel from Thoubal and Imphal led by IG Range I Clay Khongsai also rushed to the spot and launched a massive manhunt in and around the blast site. A search operation was also conducted in nearby areas by a combined team of Tengnoupal police, commando personnel posted at Moreh and AR personnel posted at Kwatha.
There was no report of any arrest made. A case has been registered at Moreh police station in connection with the incident, the sources added.
Source: The Sangai Express
