IMPHAL, Apr 21: A Manipur Rifles jawan was killed and 14 others including an executive engineer and six security personnel were injure in two bomb explosions by suspected insurgents in Manipur’s Chandel and Imphal West district today, official sources said.
The insurgents exploded a powerful bomb by using a remote-controlled device and then opened fire at an official team led by executive engineer Milan Singh and escorted by Manipur Rifles personnel when they reached a place between Khudengthabi and Kwatha Lamkhai, about 110 km south east of here in Chandel district bordering Myanmar at around 7.45 AM, the sources said.
Eight persons – four civil officials including the executive engineer and four Manipur Rifles jawans— were injured by the splinters of the bomb, sources said, adding, the Manipur rifles jawans of 8th battalion were escorting the officials from border town of Moreh to Imphal.
The jawan who was killed was identified as Sushil Singh, they said adding that the injured were taken to a hospital for treatment.
In the second incident suspected insurgents exploded a bomb planted at a roadside at Sekmai area of Imphal West district, by using a remote controlled device while a CRPF team was passing through the area at around 11.30 am, the sources said.
Four civilians and two security personnel were injured by the splinters of the bomb, sources said adding that it was not exactly known whether the injured security personnel were CRPF or some other security personnel posted at the area.
The six injured were taken to a nearby hospital where their condition is stated to be ‘not critical’, sources said.
No individual or group has claimed responsibility for both the incidents.
Official sources said police and security posts in the state particularly in four valley districts of Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishenpur and Chandel hill district have been alerted in view of stepped up activities of different insurgent groups in recent months.
They have also been asked to step up patrolling within their jurisdiction to intercept movement of insurgents, sources added. (PTI)