An Assam Rifles Colonel, his wife and eight-year-old son, and four soldiers were killed in an ambush by arms group near the border with Myanmar in Manipur. The attack – one of the deadliest in the region in recent times – took place at 11 am in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, NDTV reports.
The Commanding Officer of 46 Assam Rifles, Colonel Viplav Tripathi, had gone to a forward camp on Saturday and was returning when his convoy was ambushed.
“Five soldiers including Colonel Viplav Tripathi, Commanding Officer of 46 Assam Rifles, have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. The family of the Commanding Officer – wife and child – also lost their lives.
Manipur-based arms group People’s Liberation Army, or PLA, is believed to be behind the attack, though no group has claimed responsibility yet, police sources have said.
This is the first time that civilians have died in an ambush in this remote area of the district. The location is an extremely remote village around 50 km from Churachandpur.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the attack and gave his condolences. “The cowardly attack on an Assam Rifles convoy in Churachandpur, Manipur is extremely painful and condemnable. The nation has lost 5 brave soldiers including CO 46 AR and two family members. My condolences to the bereaved families. The perpetrators will be brought to justice soon,” Mr Singh tweeted.
