IEDs planted at Leimakhong safely defused
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 27 2010: A major disaster has been averted as Army explosive experts defused an improvised explosive device (IEDs) found fitted in a scooter close to Gate No II of the Indian Army's 57 Mountain Division at Leimakhong.

The IED found at the Army garrison is one of four such explosives recovered or had exploded in different places since the eve of the Republic Day.

A statement issued by the PIB (DW) in connection with the IED detection said 'Red Shield Division foiled another attempt by KCP (MC) Lanheiba to target innocent civilians of Leimakhong Bazar'.

The IEDs recovered from Leimakhong

Based on specific information, search operations were launched in Leimakhong Bazar to sanitize the area and ensure safety of the local population on the evening of January 25 during which an IED planted in a scooter was discerned and diffused by the troops of Red Shield Division, the statement elaborated.

Informing that tracker dogs of the Army pointed towards the scooter which was suspiciously placed in front of one of the shops of the market, the PIB (DW) maintained that the scooter was laden with huge quantity of explosives which would have caused a major calamity to the civilians living in Leimakhong.

Observing that the successful action by the SF once again highlights the fact that armed groups have no concern for the lives of the local people and could go to any lengths for their nefarious designs, it also pointed out that the Army values lives of civilians and is committed in bringing normalcy in the State of Manipur.

According to a police report, the IED which was diffused by Army bomb experts at around 1 pm yesterday, was fixed to a scooter (MN01/8510) along with four electronic detonators and two lathode bombs.

It may be noted that on January 25, one day ahead of the Republic Day celebration, Lanheiba Meitei of the KCP-MC group had claimed responsibility for triggering two simultaneous blasts at near the Minuthong transit camp of the Assam Rifles on the same evening in addition to planting one close to the Lilong Higher Secondary School, Lilong Chajing which police bomb experts had safely exploded yesterday morning.

Police sources informed that the IED recovered from near the educational institution had a timer fixed to it.

Lanheiba Meitei had also proclaimed that an IED was planted inside the Leimakhong camp.

Meanwhile, police also recovered a handgrenade from the eastern side of Kyamgei thong (bridge) in Imphal East district at around 6.30 am yesterday.

The grenade was found placed on a white piece of cloth inscribed 'Republic Day boycott of PULF (MI Khan)' in green colour paint.

Another hand-grenade had been reportedly exploded safely by bomb experts of the 140 BSF at around 8.40 am yesterday.

The grenade was recovered from near Light house cinema of Selmat in Churachandpur district headquarters.