Imphal: Suspected militants ambushed a patrol of Assam Rifles soldiers in the Saibol area in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district along Indo-Myanmar border on Thursday morning, using an improvised explosive device (IED).
According to reports, the Assam Rifles troops were not injured as they were travelling in a mine protected vehicle.
The attack occurred around 9:30 AM as the 20 soldiers were conducting routine patrolling duties.
Militants detonated an IED and opened fire on the vehicle, but the soldiers retaliated effectively and no casualties were reported. A search operation is underway to locate the attackers.
The Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal District, a tribal organisation, condemned the attack.
Earlier, a combined team of the Assam Rifles, Manipur police, and CRPF arrested one armed miscreant identified as Mutum Rajesh, 25, of Keiyamgei village from Imphal West district on Wednesday.
He was arrested while conducting a Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) and recovered one .32 pistol with one magazine loaded with five live rounds, one BP Vest, one magazine pouch, one BP Helmet, one Mahindra THAR Jeep without registration no. and one mobile device from his possessions.
In the aftermath of his arrest, search operations were conducted by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of the state.