PLA cadre linked in IED blast held
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, September 15 2012:
In a major breakthrough, troops of Red Shield Division have been successful in arresting 'self style' Lt Salam Bikram Singh of Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), one of the cadres involved in IED blast carried out at Kumbi against the security forces September 9, according to a press communique of the PIB (Defence Wing) .
An intelligence input on September 12 said that 'major' Sanjay @ Khuba and Lt Bikram Singh had carried out the IED blast at Kumbi under the instructions of 'major' Pishak of PLA and that the duo were now planning to carry out similar IED attacks ahead of the PLA Raising Day on September 25 on five different roads in Bishnupur district of Manipur,
claimed the PIB-DW.
Based on this information, troops of Red Shield Division had been put on a full alert to nab the miscreants.
At around 7:35 pm on September 13 during a deliberate checking by troops of Red Shield Division along the road an individual tried to sneak out suspiciously.
When challenged he dropped a polythene bag and started to run.
However, the security force personnel nabbed him after a hot pursuit, claimed the PIB-DW.
"On checking of the polythene bag it was found to contain explosives, cortex and detonators and on further verification the individual also revealed that he was an active member of PLA/RPF and had been involved in carrying out the IED explosion at Kumbi in the morning of 09 Sep12 .
He further revealed that his name was Salam Bikram Singh alias Bobby, 25 yrs old Son of Premjit Singh of Moirang Thoya Lakai, Bishnupur district.
He joined the PLA in Oct 2000 and was presently a 'self style' lieutenant in the organization.
He also stated that he returned to Yaripok from Myanmar in July 2010 and was arrested by Thoubal police commandos in October 2010 along with one 9 mm pistol and eight rounds, said the press note.
He was also booked under NSA and stayed in jail for one year and released from jail in Oct 2011.After his release from jail he continued working for the PLA / RPF.
On 18 Aug 2012, under instructions of SS Maj Pishak, SS 2nd Lt Jayenta and SS Sgt Maj Nongin (PLA Cadre) started looking for Army targets in their area, Bikram then carried out survey of Moirang-Kumbi road and gave a detailed feedback of movement of Army vehicles and personnel along the road.
Subsequently, the blast was then engineered by him and Sanjay at around 6 am on 9 Sep 2012 SS Bikram Has also admitted the complicity of one SS Lt Nelson in the IED blast.
It is ironical that the family of Bikram had lodged a missing person's complaint at the Police Station while he was still at large surveying other places to carry out many such similar IED attacks.
The family has all along been alive to the misdeeds of Bikram, added the press release of the PIB Defence Wing.
"The security force has maintained a high state of vigil, alertness and exemplary patience in dealing with the situation in the days after Kumbi blast.
Transparent and sincere communications with civilian population and administration was ensured by security force personnel despite the loss of the life of a soldier.
The population does not want a repeat of such incidents.
It is clear that the terrorist outfits have no regard for innocent lives in the manner in which the IED blast was carried out on a road with heavy civilians traffic including children.
There were at least two civil vehicles, some civilians including children out on their morning walk, who were present in the vicinity of the blast.
The security force personnel displayed outstanding restraint and presence of mind in ensuring that no harm could come to the innocent civilians", it stated.
It is observed that underground outfits have now resorted to roping in services of ex terrorists who have been released after a jail term or even surrendrees who are aiming to lead a normal life.
These are vulnerable individuals who are being used as expendables under threat and intimidation.
The society has to guard against these tactics of underground outfits, added the press note of the PIB-Defence Wing.
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