45 IEDs found in Tengnoupal, blast kills man in Ukhrul
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal/Ukhrul, December 12 2023: A total of 45 improvised explosive device (IEDs) suspected to have been planted by Kuki militants along NH-102 road (Imphal-Moreh) to attack security forces were safely removed and retrieved by a combined security force on Tuesday.

According to a police source, the combined team of BSF stationed at Pallel, 3 AR, Tengnoupal district police and bomb experts of Manipur police launched intensive search on receiving specific input that suspected Kuki militants planted IEDs to attack security forces particularly state force between Sinam and Bongyang villages under Tengnoupal police station.

During the course of the search conducted at a spot located around 10km from Pallel in between Sinam and Bongyang villages, the combined security team detected a large white plastic bag in the thick bushes on the left side of the NH-102 road at about 3.30pm on Tuesday.

The bag was found to contain suspected IEDs as metal pipes wrapped with wires were seen when opened.

When search continued in the area, around 700-metre long Cordex wire laid beneath the ground across the road was found on the opposite hill slope.

Even as the wire was uprooted safely, the combined security team found a bunker made with sand bags not far from the spot and tools like spades and shovels used for constructing the bunker.

Not far from the bunker, the combined team detected 400-metre-long electric wire, one Hyundai i-10 car (MN-03P-6038) and an Alto car (MN-06-P-5038) parked.

The Alto car was found registered in the name of one Lunminthang Khong-sai of Phaibem village, Churachandpur and the i-10 Hyundai car in the name of one Haobijam Gagarin of Terakha Kumbi.

One Aadhaar card of Mangvung Thangcha Haokip, son of Mangvung Songmam of M Tuinom village, Chandel was also found inside one of the parked cars.

During the operation, the combined security team recovered 45 iron pipes (one-feet long each) fitted with IED, 700 metres of Cordex wire, 400 metres of electric wire, five digging tools and the two cars.

All the 45 IED fitted pipes were taken to the firing range of 3AR stationed at Tengnoupal and exploded safely at about 4.30pm by bomb experts of Manipur police while the other recovered items have been handed over to Tengnoupal police for further necessary actions.

On the other-hand, a combined team of Sangaikot police station, 36 AR, 124 CRPF and 10 ITBP conducted search operation at Makhao Tampak under Sangaikot police station from 1.30pm on Tuesday.

During the operation, the combined security team detected a freshly dug pit covered by tree leaves, which when opened found to stashed with one each SLR rifle, tear gas gun, country-made 9mm pistol with magazine, and country-made revolver, 30 tear gas shells, eight Pompi guns, three double-barrel guns, 1kg gunpowder, 1kg iron pellets and 23 local made bombs.

In another incident, a male body, suspected to have been killed by explosion of improvised explosive device (IED), was found in a field about 1 km north of Ukhrul town on Tuesday.

The deceased has been identified as Konsam Rajen (60), son of Konsam Chaoba of Litanpokpi.

Rajen was a member of the Meitei Baptist Church (MBC) in Ukhrul and was residing at Khayashat tang in Ukhrul, reports said.

According to police, locals heard an explosion on Monday around 7 or 8 pm.

On investigating the possible site of the explosion on Tuesday morning, some locals discovered the body and subsequently notified the police around 8 am.

A police team led by Ukhrul SP Ningshem Vashum and additional SP Ringthing Hong-chui rushed to the spot and launched an investigation.

Police revealed that the explosion probably caused by a gelatin-based IED had killed the Rajen.

However, further details are yet to be established about the possible reason behind the explosion leading to his death.

Later in.

the evening, a five-member mobile forensic team led by scientific officer Bilashini Chanu reached the spot and conducted necessary investigation and returned back to Imphal.

Subsequently, the police have retrieved the body, which has been deposited at Ukhrul police station and it will be taken to Imphal for a postmortem examination on Wednesday morning.

Police said that a mark of fissure was found on the left chest of the deceased probably caused by the explosion, but ruled out hand grenade explosion as no splinters could be found around the spot.

A suspected explosive device wrapped in cloth was recovered from his right chest pocket, while a mobile phone handset and a cigarette lighter were found near the body which was discovered lying at a bushy cremation site used by the Hindu Samaj at Konghang Ngayi, police said.

The suspicious object has been moved to a safer area and arrival of bomb squad being awaited to identify the object, police said.

According to police, conclusive closure on the tragic incident could come only after receiving both the forensic and the postmortem results which may provide crucial information about the cause of death and possibly give clues as to what led to the explosion.

Police have registered an unnatural death (UD) case at Ukhrul police station in connection with the incident.

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