RDX found planted; Major Disaster Averted, Says AR
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 13 2012: A powerful bomb possibly aims at targeting security personnel was found planted over the Ushoipokpi Bridge in Lilong along Imphal-Moreh road early this morning.

The bomb was later detonated safely by bomb experts of Manipur Police at Chaobok Ching in Ushoipokpi area.

In connection with the incident, a statement issued by PRO IGAR (S) said that assisted by civilians, police and Manipur Police BD, troops of 28 AR of 9 Sector AR under the aegis of IGAR (S) defused a powerful IED which was found planted over Ushoipokpi Bridge along Imphal-Morh road at around 9 am today.

According to the statement, early in the morning a local resident of Ushoipokpi informed the road opening party of Lilong post about a suspicious object placed near the bridge.

On receipt of this information, the Company Commander Lilong post, along with his road opening party, who were sanitizing the road nearby, rushed to the spot and identified the IED.

It was found placed on the ground along with freshly dug mud and vegetation around it.

The presence of explosive was confirmed by the Assam Rifles dog.

Immediately the area was cordoned off, traffic was halted and police BD team was informed.

The bomb which was found planted over the bridge at Ushoipokpi in Lilong

After analysis of the IED, it was found that the IED was housed in an aluminum container having 2.5 kg of RDX, had a nickel cadmium 9 volt battery as power source and a sophisticated remote activation circuit with antenna.

The IED was powerful enough to carry out of major damage to vehicles plying on the road, civilians and SF in the area.

The IED was planted in close vicinity to a residential area.

A local youth club, civil population of Ushoipokpi and Lilong condemned the placing of IED and organised a protest, raised slogan against such IEDs as it was causing harassment to the locals preventing them moving around freely for their essential work.

They also raised voice against the UGs that such acts should not be repeated especially in view of forthcoming festive season and late night public gathering, the statement said.

On receipt of information Commander 9 Sect AR along with Commandant 28 AR rushed to the spot and took stock of the situation.

They also thanked the local population whose assistance averted a major disaster on NH 102, the statement said.

Assam Rifles thanked the support of Lilong, Thoubal Police and Manipur Police BD team for their assistance in diffusing IED thereby averting a major disaster.

The nefarious designs of UGs to disturb peace and tranquility in the region will be thwarted by ever alert SF and cautioned the UGs to refrain from such act of cowardice, the statement added.

Meanwhile, United Welfare Organisation, Ushoipokpi, Muslim Students Union of Manipur, Lilong Hangamthabi Youth Club and Md Nasir Khan, Councilor of Lilong Ward Number 7 have condemned planting of the bomb at Ushoipokpi.

A protest demonstration was also staged by the people of the locality with placards and festoons inscribed with wordings like "Do not kill innocent people in bomb attacks", "Stop killing innocent people", "We condemn planting of bombs in residential areas" etc.

In another incident, a bomb was also found planted at Top Khongnangkhong under Porompat Police Station.

The bomb was later picked up by Manipur Police bomb experts and exploded at a safer place.