Four IRB men killed in PLA's ambush
Six other riflemen injured, some guns taken away
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, September 12, 2009: A group of PLA cadres today ambushed a convoy of 6th IRB killing at least four personnel and wounding six others even as another clash reportedly occurred between troops of Assam Rifles and suspected cadres of the same outfit in interior Thoubal district near Salungpham area around mid-day today.

A deceased IRB personnel inside the vehicle

The ambush took place at about 10.30 am at Ningthemcha Karong under Lamlai Police Station in Imphal East district, 35 km from the capital.

The IRB were coming in two vehicles�one bullet-proof and another ordinary from their post located at Maphou Dam to Imphal taking an ailing colleague from the post.

The PLA cadres ambushed the convoy using rocket launchers, a young IRB personnel, who survived the attack told newspersons.

An unexploded RPG shell was found lying near the badly damaged bullet-proof vehicle.

The insurgents laid the ambush from the hill sides from three directions.

"Four jawans were killed on the spot while six others were wounded in the ambush," a police officer at the spot said.

Reinforcement police teams from Imphal led by IGP, V Zathang and Imphal East SP, Th Radeshyam rushed to the spot and conducted search operations to hunt out the insurgents who took part in the ambush.

Commandant of 88 BSF and Commandant of 6th IRB also rushed to the spot.

In the follow up search operations, security personnel recovered a blood stained waist-coat in camouflage which they believed that one of the attackers might have sustained injuries.

Some eatables such as Chengpaak (rice flakes) believed to have been used by the insurgents were found lying at their hiding spot.

Police suspect that around 30 to 35 cadres of the PLA might have launched the ambush as part of series of attacks likely to be launched against the security forces during the coming days.

At least three weapons, one each of insas rifle, LMG and AK-47 had been taken away from the possession of the IRB personnel by the attackers.

The six injured personnel were immediately rushed to JN Hospital and RIMS Hospital.

The condition of one of them is stated to be critical, according to doctors treating them.The deceased personnel are Rifleman No 6070150 of B Coy Khuraijam Amuchou (30), son of (L) Kh Mohon of Kyamgei; Rifleman No 6070055 of A Coy Khuraijam Vicky (22), son of Kh Ibohal of Kyamgei (the two were said to be cousin); Rifleman No 6070513 (B Coy) Thuising Rongmei of Khoupum; and Rifleman No 607117 of B Coy Khangenbam Nanda son of Kh Thoiba of Thoubal Athokpam.

The injured personnel have been identified as Rifleman No 0797038 Yumnam Sanayaima son of (L) Y Nobin (37) of Yairipok Angtha; Yengkhom Surchandra (30) son of Y Sureshkumar of Khurai Soibam Leikai; Khuraijam Gandhi (25) son of (L) Kh Deben of Langthabal Mantrikhong Mayai Leikai; Gainamlung Rongmei (21), son of Chandra Rongmei of Ragailong, Imphal; Driver Ningthoujam Santoshkumar; and Shiva.

According to those personnel who survived the attack, a large number of insurgents fired a volley of bullets and RPG shells on them from three different directions on the hills when the two vehiles were proceeding towards Imphal taking the ailing rifleman.The insurgents continued to attack by chasing them even though the vehicles sped up to escape the attack.

The IRB personnel also reportedly retaliated till their ammo got exhausted.

Magazines of the IRB personnel were found empty without anymore ammunition as they showed their weapons to their senior officers and related the story how the ambush took place.

Fifteen personnel were together in the convoy of two vehicles when the insurgents laid the ambush.

BSF personnel from nearby post at Oksu rushed to the ambush site and swung into action and rescued the surviving IRB men under ambush.