MNPA attacks BSF troops at Laikoiching
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 04 2014 : Suspected armed cadres of Manipur Naga People's Front (MNPF) today laid an ambush on a foot patrol party of 49 Battalion C-Coy BSF by first exploding a powerful improvised explosive device (IED) and then followed it up with gun attack at a spot known as Misi Makhong located in between Laikoiching and Leisiphung village under Senapati district at around 10 am today.

The site of the ambush is about 9 km to the south-east of Lamlai police station of Imphal East district.

Meanwhile, claiming responsibility for the attack, Assistant Publicity Secretary of MNPF Thomas Numai said that the ambush was laid by a special group of Manipur Naga People's Army (MNPA), the armed wing of the outfit.

Though there is no official report on casualty in the attack, MNRF claimed that at least four BSF personnel were killed while some others were wounded in the ambush.

To hide the fact about the casualty, the security personnel did not evacuate the dead bodies and the injured until dark, Thomas said.

On the other hand, police sources said the Improvised Explosive Device planted by suspected militants of Manipur Naga People's Front went off first before the gun attack as the personnel of the border guarding force reached Mishi Makhong.

The bomb, however, exploded about a hundred metres away, creating a crater of 3 feet diameter and 6 inches deep.

The BSF personnel then came under heavy gunfire.

The 49 BSF is posted at Laikoiching.

The BSF party returned the fire.

Both sides engaged in an exchange of fire for a few minutes, and then the militants retreated.

No casualty was reported in the gunbattle, police sources said.

Soon receiving the report of the attack, a large reinforcement of Imphal East police commandos and personnel of Lamlai Police station reportedly rushed in and conducted a massive search operation in the area.

However, there is no report of any arrest made in this connection.

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