Imphal, October 31 2009: Claiming responsibility for the October 29 attack on the Assam Rifles convoy near Itam thong (bridge), the proscribed RPF said the attack marks resumption of 'urban guerilla warfare' against adversary forces.

According to a statement issued by the RPF's chief of Department of Publicity GM Changjou, the said attack at around 2.40 pm was carried out by a four-member special team of the PLA's Auxiliary unit with Lt Col MS Bains of 10 Sector Assam Rifles as the intended target.

Regarding Lt Colonel MS Bains managing to escape unhurt, Changjou conceded the Assam Rifles officer switching vehicle before reaching the attack site is the only reason for his miraculous escape.

With cadres of the special team unleashing their fire-power mainly at the Bolero jeep which the Lt Col was supposed to ride the attackers had to withdraw soon after realising that Lt Colonel MS Bains was not in the targeted vehicle, he maintained while asserting that the next attack against the AR officer would be more vicious and precise.

On the injury sustained by one Irungbam Itamba (15), the statement alleged that the youngster was intentionally fired at by the AR men as security forces consider every Manipuri as enemies.

Changjou also opined that in case there was more casualties on the AR side many more civilian could have been murdered on the spot as vengeance by the remaining security personnel.

Stating that the maruti car, which the AR personnel fired at discriminately, was not connected to the attack launched by the PLA team, the outfit's publicity chief conveyed RPF's sorrow and solidarity to inconveniences faced by the civilians as well as a bullet wound suffered by Itamba.

Cautioning the general public that PLA cadres are all set to launch attacks against security forces, both in the hill and valley areas, Changjou called upon the people to keep a safe distance from security forces, abstain from taking rides on security vehicles and to lie low whenever shoot-outs take place.

Further alleging that police commandos had been continuously committing atrocities against the civilians apart from eliminating innocent persons with concocted charges, Changjou said time has come for the commando personnel to stay alert as PLA cadres attacking them cannot be ruled out.

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