Army Chief landfalls in Moltuk
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 05 2015 : Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag arrived Imphal on Friday at the orders of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

Modi has vowed to smoke out the armed groups who had ambushed the convoy of 6 Dogra Regiment killing around 20 troopers.

One armed person was also killed.

Soon after his arrival at the Tulihal airport at 11 am .he went to Moltuk by a chopper to see for himself the place where the troopers were killed.

He examined the combing operation and National Investigation Agency is reported to have taken over the issue.

Till the filing of this report, there is no report of rounding up or neutralising any armed attackers.

The bodies of the slain jawans on a truck (L). Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag

The ambush site is hardly 30 km away from the international border which means that they had all the time to cross over to the other side of the border.

In view of the strong condemnation and rock firm determination to exact revenge, indications are that there will be intensified combing operations.

Suhag briefs commanders
During his two and a half hours visit to Manipur ,the army chief addressed commanders at the headquarters of Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) at Mantri Pukhri in Imphal.

Commandeers from Kolkata, Ranga Pahar in Nagalans and Manipur attended the meeting.

Earlier, he had visited the ambush site by a helicopter.

During the meeting he is understood to have underlined the need to round up the armed militants who had ambushed the convoy of 6 Dogra Regiment near Moltuk in Chandel district in Thursday killing around 20 and injuring some others.

He also spelled out the role of army in maintaining law and order in Manipur.

Meanwhile, the Governor Syed Ahmed, the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi have strongly condemned the ambush.

In separate condolence messages they said that they shared the grief of the family members.

The Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam Gangmei said that a case is registered in the Tengnoupal police station.

Combined team of the state and the union forces are carrying on combing operations near the ambush site.

He said that such incidents are delaying the efforts to withdraw the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 from Manipur.

Suhag closeted with NIA chief
Shortly after his visit to Chandel where an ambush took place on Thursday General Dalvir Singh Suhag was closeted with the National Investigation Agency chief Ajit Doval.

Official sources said that the NIA has taken over the investigation into the ambush.

In the ambush carried out on Thursday between Paralong and Charong at Tengoupal, Chandel district, at least 20 personnel were reported to have been killed.

One armed insurgent was also killed in the exchange of fire.

It is not immediately known what kind of inquiry will take place.

Meanwhile Hitendra Singh Minister of state in the Prime Minister's Office talked with the union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at directive of the Prime Minister to take stock of the situation and what the next line of actions will be.

Official indications are that instructions had been given to flush out the armed groups.

There are likely to be ruthless operations against the militant outfits in the Northeastern region.