Four IRB jawans slain, five hurt in PLA ambush
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 12, 2009:

Four personnel of the India Reserved Battalion (IRB) were killed while five others have been wounded following an ambush by unidentified gunmen at Karong Chingjin, which is close to Ningthemcha Khul in Imphal East district.

Later, in the evening the proscribed RPF/PLA claim-ed the attack.

Combo picture shows security reinforcement, damaged vehicle and items recovered from site

According to a police source, the attack was launched at around 10.30 am today along the hilly terrain of Ningthemcha village approach road.

The incident site is about 10 kilometres north east of Lamlai police station.

It has been reported that an IRB convoy with 14 personnel had left their unit camp at about 10 am for treatment of two of their sick colleagues when the attackers armed with sophisticated weapons fired at them killing four on the spot.

The IRB unit belongs to the 6th battalion and stationed at the Thoubal Multi-purpose Project site where a dam (Maphou dam) is being built.

Led by a Jamadar the IRB personnel had moved out for Imphal in a bullet-proof mini truck (MN1G/0843) and one Maruti Gypsy (MN01W/0574).According to driver of the bullet-proof (BP) vehicle namely Lourembam Romikanta of Lamlai the convoy came under fire at a spot locally known as Mithihoubi.

Along with sporadic return of fire by the IRB jawans the BP was driven for about a kilometre along the curvy road stretch but could not proceed much further as the Maruti Gypsy that was at the front broke down due to impact of the attack.

Taking the rifle of an injured colleague, Romikanta said he jumped out of the vehicle and fired shots toward the attackers but soon ran of bullets.

Scampering down a gorge he reported the incident to the 88 Bn BSF post which is the nearest security camp.

While four of the IRB men were slain on the spot a reinforcement team of the BSF unit rushed in and evacuated the injured five to RIMS Hospital, he maintained.

On reaching the spot, one the IRB victims was found at the front seat of the BP with bodies of three others strewn on the ground.

The attackers also tugged in a Chinese hand-grenade under a corpse.

As news spread about the attack, additional rein-forcement of the BSF, Imphal East police commandos and IRB personnel arrived at the spot and a search of the surrounding areas was conducted.

Inspector General (L&O-III) V Zathang along with BSF Commandant Sham Kapoor, SP (IE) Th Radheshyam and CO 6th IRB Laxmi Prasad also arrived at the scene and supervised the search operation.

The search led to the recovery of a live rocket shell, snack packets and camouflage waist coat with a hole on the backside (apparently bullet hole) from the surrounding bushes of the attack site.

An SLR rifle likely to have been dropped by the surviving jawans was also retrieved from a nearby gorge.

Gun shot marks were also observed on the left side of the mini truck's front door and windshield apart from puncture of all four tyres.

The Gypsy was also hit on the front windshield with the rear tyre punctured.

Later, the live rocket shell recovered from the ambush site was safely exploded by bomb experts who also recovered the hand-grenade.

The IRB victims have been identified as Khuraijam Biky (22) s/o Ibohal and his cousin brother Khuraijam Amuchou (30) from Kyamgei Heibong Makhong, Kh Nando of Thoubal and Thuisinpao alias Ashing of Mukti Khullen in Tamenglong district.

Among the injured IRB personnel include Yumnam Sanayaima (37) of Angtha, Yengkhom Surchandra (30) of Khurai Soibam Leikai, Khuraijam Gandhi (25) of Langthabal Mantrikhong Mayai Leikai, Gaingamlung Rongmei (23) of Ragailong and Irengbam Joychand (24) of Mayeng Lamjao.

It has been informed that Joychand was supposed to drive the mini truck but Romikanta took to the wheel as his colleague was among the two sick jawans who were being escorted for treatment.

Gaingamlung is the other sick personnel, said an informed source adding that the attackers are suspected to have decamped with at-least three service weapons issued to the IRB personnel.

However, no official report has been filed on the matter.

Joychand and two other drivers were unarmed, mentioned the source and added that two SLRs, same number of AK series rifles and an INSAS LMG have been recovered.

The Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, accompanied by MPCC president Gaikhangam and Ministers K Ranjit and L Jayantakumar inquired about conditions of the injured personnel at RIMS Hospital this evening.