Sevem, including 5 Assam Rifles personnel, were killed in the attack.
New Delhi:
An Assam Rifles colonel, his wife, their eight-year-old son and four soldiers were killed in a terrorist attack in Manipur’s Churachanpur on Saturday. “Their sacrifices will never be forgotten,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said as he strongly condemned the attack near the Myanmar border in Manipur.
Strongly condemn the attack on the Assam Rifles convoy in Manipur. I pay tribute to the soldiers and family members who have been martyred today. His sacrifice will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the grieving families in this hour of sadness.
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 13, 2021
The officer in command of 46 Assam rifles, Colonel Viplav Tripathy, had gone to an outpost camp on Saturday and was returning when his convoy was ambushed, sources said.
“Justice will be served,” Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh said, adding that a massive combing operation has started in the area. “Justice will be served,” he said.
State forces and paramilitary troops are already working to track down the terrorists, Singh wrote on Twitter.
Congressional leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP-led government in the Modi Center government for the attack. “The terrorist attack on the army convoy in Manipur shows once again that the Modi government is not capable of protecting the nation. My condolences to those killed in action and their families. The nation will remember their sacrifice,” he said in a tweet in hindi.
मणिपुर में सेना के क़ाफ़िले पर हुए आतंकी हमले से एक बार फिर साबित होता है कि मोदी सरकार राष्ट्र की सुरक्षा करने में असमर्थ है।
शहीदों को मेरी श्रद्धांजलि व उनके परिवारजनों को शोक संवेदनाएँ। देश आपके बलिदान को याद रखेगा।
– Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 13, 2021
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh described the incident as a “cowardly” attack. “The nation has lost 5 brave soldiers, including the CO 46 AR and two family members,” he tweeted.
The cowardly attack on a convoy of Assam Rifles in Churachandpur, Manipur, is extremely painful and reprehensible. The nation has lost 5 brave soldiers, including the CO 46 AR and two family members.
My condolences to the bereaved families. The perpetrators will be brought to justice soon.
– Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) November 13, 2021
It is the first time civilians have been killed in an ambush in this remote part of the district. The location is an extremely remote village about 50 km from Churachandpur. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, however the Manipur-based terror group, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), is believed to be behind the attack.
“The whole nation feels justice,” West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted.
I strongly condemn the vile attack by militants against a convoy of 46 Assam rifles in Manipur. It pains me to know that we have lost five brave soldiers, including the OC and their families.
Our condolences to the bereaved families. The entire nation awaits justice!
– Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 13, 2021
The Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force, are used to maintain public order in the northeast. It also protects the Indo-Myanmar border in the region.
Other congressional leaders, including Ashok Gehlot and Jairam Ramesh, also condemned the attack and demanded action against those responsible.
“Strongly condemn the cowardly attack on the Assam Rifles convoy in Churachandpur, Manipur, in which five brave staff members and two family members lost their lives. Greet their martyrdom and extend your sincere condolences to the bereaved families,” said the Rajasthan Chief Minister Gehlot on Twitter.
Strongly condemn the cowardly attack on the Assam Rifles convoy in Churachandpur, #Manipur in which 5 brave staff members and two family members lost their lives. Greet his martyrdom and extend your sincere condolences to the bereaved families.
– Ashok Gehlot (@ ashokgehlot51) November 13, 2021
“This is absolutely shocking and deeply sad! I hope those responsible will be brought to justice soon,” said former union minister Jairam Ramesh.