Kwakta car bomb explosion injures many
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 21 2023:
Many people including two children were left injured after suspected Kuki militants exploded a car bomb besides a culvert located between Kwakta and Phougakchao in Bishnu-pur district around 7.15 pm on Wednesday.
While the other injured people are yet to be identified, the two injured children have been identified as Md Albaz (15) s/o Md Mustaq and Md Alfaz (8) s/o Salauddin, both Of Kwakta Ward No 7 .
Albaz was hit by the bomb shrapnel on his left leg, shoulder and chest area and is undergoing treatment at Raj Medicity.
Md Alfaz suffered head injuries and is being treated at Moirang PHC.
The injuries suffered by other people are stated to be non-serious.
Recounting Albaz's account of the incident, his family said that he was running an errand when he spotted a Scorpio from Churachandpur side parked at the culvert atop Moirang Turel Mapal, located between Kwakta Ward No.7 and Phougakchao.
He then saw smoke emitting from inside the vehicle and three people, who had alighted from the same, fleeing the area.
Shortly after, the Scorpio exploded.
Albaz's family further conveyed that the impact of the explosion shook houses located in 100 metre radius.
The explo sion completely destroyed the Scorpio and sent the vehicle parts flying as shrapnel, injuring the people nearby.
According to reports culled from the spot, it is speculated that the culvert between Kwakta and Phougakchao was destroyed with a plan to prevent the entry of additional security forces from Imphal and to carry out attacks in areas on the Churachandpur side of the culvert.
The explosion left two-foot deep crater in the middle of the culvert.
On receiving news of the incident, teams of Bishnupur district police, BSF personnel deployed in the area and central paramilitary forces arrived at the scene and inspected the scene.
A case has been registered and further investigation is underway.
Meanwhile, speaking to The People's Chronicle, AMMOCOC president SM lalal strongly condemned the car bomb attack on Wednesday, terming it as an act of cowardice.
On the other hand, security forces dismantled bunkers built by Kuki militants in Kanto Sabal area under Imphal West district on Wednesday morning.
A team of state force and volunteers of Meitei villages located next to the hill areas also destroyed bunkers built by Kuki militants in the area.
Intermittent firing has also been reported from two places.
Around 15-20 rounds of automatic weapon fire was heard at 11.45 pm on Tuesday before it fell silent, at Thangjing in Manipur East, according to police sources, adding that sporadic firing was also reported from Geljang and Singda, both falling in Kangchup area.
"Between 8 pm and 9.30 pm, 4-5 rounds were fired from Geljan & Singda areas.
It's speculative fire and not at each other.
Distance between the two places is 2 km,'' an official said.
Assam Rifles personnel went to both the locations to find out if there were any injuries or casualties.