One killed, 18 hurt in twin attacks along Imp-Moreh road, Sekmai
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 21 2013: One Manipur Rifles personnel has been killed while 10 people including MR personnel and two PWD engineers sustained injuries in a fierce attack launched by some unidentified persons using bombs and guns at a spot in between Khudengthabi and Kwatha Lamkhai along NH-2 this morning.

Another bomb attack at Sekmai along the same highway left two CRPF jawans and six civilians injured.

An official team led by PWD SE Ngangom Manglemjao was heading for Kwatha through Moreh when suspected militants triggered three IEDs in quick succession at a spot about 400 metres away from Khudeng-thabi AR post at about 7.30 am.

The IED blasts were followed by a volley of shots from automatic rifles.

In the meantime, another powerful IED exploded targeting personnel of 69 Bn CRPF who were detailed to escort petroleum tankers near Sekmai Excise check-post at around 10.50 am.

The bullet riddled Gypsy and (top) the crater left behind by a blast at Moreh road and the mangled remains of a truck at Sekmai

The explosion left three CRPF personnel and six civilians injured.

According to information received from TSE Moreh Correspondent, the official team led by PWD Chandel Division SE Ng Manglemjao and escorted by personnel of 8 MR personnel including EE N Milan and AE M Birla.

Apart from the three IEDs which exploded in quick succession, the team was attacked using sophisticated rifles.

The MR personnel retaliated the firing.

The bombs were planted on either side of the highway and the team was attacked from two sides for about 15/20 minutes before the militants left the area.

Altogether 11 people sustained injuries either due to bomb splinters or bullets or both.

But MR Rifleman Longjam Sachin (27) of Pangaltabi, Thoubal district succumbed to injuries at Moreh Hospital.

The injured victims have been identified as SE Ng Manglemjao of Kangla Sangomshang, AE Maisnam Birla (56) of Kwakeithel Akham Leikai, Havildar RK Bikramjit of Kha-Imphal, Havildar Ngangom Dayananda of Napet Palli (45), driver Laishram Mocha (47) of Mongshangei School Leirak, driver Chabungbam Thoiba (48) of Khurai Thangjam Leikai, Rifleman Khumanthem Sunil (37) of Wangjing Lamding Khumanthem Leikai, Rifleman Thongam Manojkumar (37) of Thoubal Kiyam Siphai Awang Leikai, Md Sallatur (27) of Lilong Haoreibi Awang Leikai and L Premkumar (25) of Khangabok Part II .

However, EE N Milan escaped unscathed.

While Bikramjit, Thoiba and Premkumar have been admitted in SHRI, the others are being treated at RIMS.

Conditions of Bikramjit, Dayananda, Sunil and Manojkumar are said to be critical.

After the attack, troops of Assam Rifles, police commandos and Moreh police personnel led by SDPO H Balram moved in and searched the area.

One packaged water bottle, one bottle of Amul Cool, a black polythene bag and a number of empty cases were recovered during the search operation.

The injured victims were first taken to Moreh Hospital where they were given first aid.

Moreh ADC Robert visited them at the hospital.

As ambulance of the hospital was not working due to brake failure, the injured victims were brought to Imphal in four private vehicles.

While a case has been registered at Moreh police station in connection with the ambush, corpse of Rifleman Sachin has been brought to JNIMS mortuary.

On the other hand, another IED exploded on the driver's side of a truck belonging to Electricity Department which was parked on the eastern side of NH 2 close to a mound of garbage and waste materials near Sekmai Excise check-post.

The truck (MNG/1011) was allotted to Electricity Department's Kangpokpi sub-division.

The blast was so powerful that the truck was blown to pieces except its engine and chassis parts.

Apart from snapping power cables, the blast jolted Sekmai and adjoining villages.

It also shattered windshields of a CRPF mini-truck, an oil tanker and a local truck parked on the opposite side.

The bomb exploded as soon as the CRPF escort personnel travelling in the rear most mini-truck reached the garbage mound.

Two CRPF personnel travelling in the rear most mini-truck sustained injuries in the blast and they have been identified as Shivalal Singh and Mahesh Jat, both from Rajasthan .

Shivalal has been discharged after he was given first aid at RIMS.

The other two personnel sustained minor injuries and they have been taken to their unit hospital.

The oil tankers were escorted and brought to Imphal by a company of CRPF.

Three civilians who were at a hair cutting saloon on the opposite of the blast site too sustained injuries.

They were barber Ram Ashish (25), Sanoj Thakur (27) and Upendra Thakur (47).All three of them hail from Bihar though they are presently staying at Sekmai.

Heisnam Ranjit (45) and his son Roshan who came to call their pet dog were also injured.

One Maisnam Priyo (21) of Koujengleima who was having lunch in the next hotel too sustained injuries.

All the injured victims have been discharged after giving first aid at Sekmai PHC.

Later, 69th CRPF CO Rakesh Kumar came and inspected the blast site.

A case has been registered at Sekmai police station.