18 DR men killed in clinically executed ambush
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 04 2015 : In one of the worst attacks carried out by suspected underground militants on security forces, at least 18 personnel of 6 Dogra Regiment died while 11 others were injured in an ambush at Paraolon village, near Moltuk, around 35 km to the west of Tengnoupal police station at Chandel district at about 8.30 am today.

17 bodies were brought to JNIMS late in the evening today.

However, another source claimed that only 16 personnel were killed and 17 were injured in the incident.

According to another reliable source, troops of 6 Dogra of Moltuk battalion headquarters in Chandel district under 26 Sector IGAR (South) were on their way to Imphal in three army trucks.

Security personnel look on at the smouldering remains of the vehicles

They came under heavy attack when they were about to reach Paroulon village after crossing Charlong village.

The source said that the suspected militants used RPG, rocket launchers and other sophisticated weapons in the attack.

Soon after the incident, a large reinforcement team rushed to the spot and engaged in a gunfight with the suspected militants for around two hours, the source said.

It is said that 17 personnel died on the spot while 14 were injured.

Although, the injured personnel were evacuated to 184 Military Hospital, Leimakhong by army helicopters, three personnel succumbed to injuries in the hospital.

It is said that some critically wounded personnel were taken directly to Guwahati.

Sources said that two army trucks were found burning when reinforcement team reached the spot.

While around 8 personnel were found charred inside the two vehicles, some other personnel were found dead some distance away from these vehicles, the source added.

Commandant of 6 Dogra and SDPO and OC of Tengnoupal police station also rushed to the spot soon after getting information about the incident.

Some personnel are still missing after the incident.

A massive search operation was still on to nab the attackers and trace the missing personnel at the area, at the time of filing this report.

Sources also said that the body of a suspected militant, who looks like a hill man, was also recovered from the ambush site.

Sources said that the deceased personnel include one Junior Commission Officer, seven jawans, one Signal Havildar and one Army Supply Corps personnel and one military transport driver.

All the bodies will be brought to Imphal by a team of Tengnoupal police, led by its OC.

It is said that all the Army and Assam Rifles posts of the State were alerted while some posts were put on standby.