Imphal, October 01: In an apparently coordinated attack on the security forces today, the CRPF were ambushed at three different places in Churachandpur district.

The attacks were carried out at Kangvai, Tronglaobi and Geljang along Tiddim road around noon.

One CRPF jawan was killed and fifteen others injured in the Geljang attack , about 10 kms to the south of Lamka town around 11 am.

Two civilians also sustained bullet injuries.

The PLA has claimed responsibility for the attacks carried out at Tronglaobi and Geljang along the Tiddim line.

Speaking to the media, the commander of the newly opened 242 Bn of the PLA said that the twin attacks on the security personnel were carried out by its cadres.

A brief function was also held today wherein the cadres who shot and snatched an SLR from the BSF jawan yesterday at Tronglaobi was handed over to the unit commander of the 242 Bn.

The commander said that the offensive launched by the PLA on the 44 BSF at Upokpi yesterday was not an ambush but a direct attack on their post.

The BSF jawan was spared as he had surrendered, he claimed.

Today at 9 am too, cadres of the PLA attacked an ROP party of the CRPF at Tronglaobi, informed the commander.

At about the same time PLA cadres also launched an attack on the CRPF at Geljang in CCpur district under Singhat PS.

However the commander said the Geljang attack was not carried out by the 252 Bn cadres but another unit.

Sources said that the 28th Bn CRPF stationed at Khuga Dam rushed towards Geljang area along Tiddim road on hearing gunshots from the area this morning.

On seeing two trucks coming along the way, the CRPF boarded them and along with two bullet proof vehicles, went from village to village enquiring about the shooting.

When they approached Geljang cemetery, the militants rained bullets on them from both sides of the road.

Constable Md Wajid Ali, 30, s/o Md Abdus of Aramdanga, Nadia district, West Bengal succumbed to his injuries at the spot.

15 others, including a Sub Inspector and a havildar were wounded, six of them seriously.

After preliminary treatment at the District Hospital here, most of them were evacuated to RIMS, Imphal by helicopters.

The two injured civilians are identified as Ningthem, 35, of Thingkangphai who is a truck driver and Premananda Soibam, 19, of Bishnupur Soibam Leikai, who is a manual worker.

Both are reportedly out of danger.

The injured CRPF personnel are identified as SI RB Das Singh; Hav.

Ramesh Kumar; Mangal Singh; Sachindra Singh of Keinou; Rakesh Kumar; JN Nanda; RK Das; Manjer Singh; TT Rajen; B.Dajawan; K.Mangesh; Bhusan Bhagwan; Sukhdev Singh; Abash Khan and C.Simon.

Hospital sources said that the conditions of Sukhdev (multiple bullet injuries), Abash Khan (head injury), Ramesh Kumar and Bhusan Bagwan are serious.

Abash Khan has been shifted to Shija Hospital.

On the attack at Tronglaobi, police said that it was the personnel of the 7 Bn CRPF, E Company attached to INA complex at Moirang who came under attack.

The CRPF men were on ROP duty from Tronglaobi to Okshongbung under the command of Assistant Commandant Om Chand.

As news of the attack spread additional CRPF forces from Moirang, Phubala, and Bishnupur rushed to the site of the attack.

One Maruti van suspected to have been used by the militants was seized.

On hearing of the series of attacks launched along Tiddim line today, additional police force from Imphal led by ADGP JC Dabas and IG (LO-II) A Romenkumar rushed to the places to take stock of the situation.

To check the escalating militant activities along Tiddim line, the IRB post stationed at PY College at Ngangkha village has been replaced by the 7 CRPF.

Search operations were later mounted in the area, but there was no report of arrests being made.

Comment