Two civilians hurt in IED blast
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, September 25 2014:
Two civilians including a 72-year-old man were injured in a suspected insurgent attack carried out by exploding a powerful IED apparently targeting Assam Rifles personnel at Muirei Lamkhai along Imphal-Ukhrul road in Manipur's Imphal East early on Thursday.
A powerful remote control IED exploded at Murei Lamkhai around 6 am apparently targeting an ROP party of the 16 Assam Rifles, police reports said.
They said two civilians were injured in the blast.
The Assam Rifles reportedly picked up five youths on suspicion from a nearby village after the blast.
Police identified the injured as Sagolsem Birchanddra, 72, and Keisham Asobanta, 45, both residents of Sabungkhok Khunou Awang Leikai.
They were taken to hospital.
However, the victims of the blast were reported to be out of danger.
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Sabongkhok Khunou Awang under Lamlai Police Station is located close to Muirei Lamkhai where the explosion occurred.
The police believed that the explosion was triggered by insurgents.
The local made Improvised Explosive Device planted near an electric pole went off as the Assam Rifles personnel were coming towards their post at New Canal.
The Assam Rifles said the assailants fleeing the spot after the blast were chased by the ROP party, adding the assailants fired one round in the air as they were being pursued by the Assam Rifles team.
However, the villagers disagreed with the Assam Rifles version, claiming the shot came from the security personnel side.
An angry crowd of womenfolk from nearby three villages stormed the Assam Rifles Post at New Canal, demanding immediate release of the five youths who they said were innocent villagers.
Reports said the five suspects have been taken to Sangsat Assam Rifles Post in Ukhrul district.