MR jawan killed, 10 hurt in ambush
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 21 2013: A jawan of 8th Manipur Rifles, who was among the escort party of a team of PWD engineers led by Superintending Engineer (SE) Ngangbam Manglemjao on inspection visit to Kwatha, lost his life while six other escort personnel, the SE himself and three other civilians sustained injuries when unidentified armed persons laid an ambush near Khudengthabi along Imphal-Moreh road today.

The incident occurred around 7:30 am today at a spot near Khudengthabi, just 400 metres away from the Assam Rifles check post.

The deceased Manipur Rifles jawan has been identified as Longjam Sachin (27), s/o L Brojendro of Pangaltabi Makha Leikai, near Sugnu, Thoubal district.

One of the injured civilians in Khudengthabi ambush being evacuated

The other six injured escort personnel are Havildar Ngangom Dayananda (45), S/o Ng Kula of Napetpali; Rifleman Laishram Premkumar (25), s/o L Nimai of Khangabok Mayai leikai; Rifleman Khumanthem Sunil (47), s/o Kh Thoiba of Wangjing Lamding Khumanthem Leikai; Rifleman Md Salatur Rehman (27), s/o late Md Tomba of Haoreibi Awang Leikai; Thounaojam Manoj Kumar (27), s/o Th Menjor of Thoubal Kiyamsiphai Awang Leikai and Rifleman Rk Bikramjit (48), s/o RK Tombisana of Haobam Marak Keisham Leikai.

The civilians who were also injured in the ambush are SE in-charge of PWD Chandel, Tamenglong and Senapati Ngangbam Manglemjao (59) s/o Ng Tomba of Kangla sangomshang; Assistant Engineer PWD Chandel Maibam Birla (57) s/o late M Brajabidhu of Kwakeithel Akham Leikai; civil driver Laishram Momocha, s/o late L Udoi of Monsanggei and another civil driver Chabungbam Thoi alias Thoiba (48), s/o late Ch Nabakishore of Khurai Thangjam Leikai.

According to reports culled from the site of the incident, the Engineers team was on a visit to Kwatha to inspect the works being taken up under PMGSY in the village.

The team landed at Moreh yesterday and was coming back from Moreh around 7 am today and heading towards Kwatha when they were ambushed.

They were coming in one Bolero and two Gypsy jeeps of the escort party.

After exploding a powerful IED right in the middle of the road, the team was attacked by around seven heavily armed persons who fired a volley of bullets apart from triggering bombs.

The attack lasted for about five minutes during which the escort party also retaliated.

In the attack, all the three vehicles one Bolero and two Gypsies) were damaged beyond redemption and the team could not proceed further from that point.

It was only after about 20 minutes that a combined team of Manipur Police Commandos and personnel of AR arrived rushed to the spot and took the injured persons to the Community Health Centre at Moreh.

However, Longjam Sachin succumbed to his injuries enroute.

After giving first aid at Moreh PHC, the injured persons have been brought to Imphal for further treatment.

All of them have been admitted to Shija Hospital where the condition of Rifleman Vikram is said to be critical.

Although a massive search operation had been conducted after the attack, there is no report of any arrest made in connection with the incident, and no group has claimed responsibility for the attack as well.