Manipur Chief Minister Yomnam Khemchand on Wednesday paid tributes to two Assam Rifles personnel who were martyred in an ambush by unidentified militants in Ukhrul district, during a ceremony held at the Imphal International Airport.
The wreath-laying ceremony, organized by Assam Rifles, was attended by Home Minister Govindas Kunthugam, Director General of Police Rajeev Singh, Additional Director General of Police L Dorji, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) Major General Gaurav Sharma, Inspector General of CRPF Rajendra Narayan Dash and senior civil, police and military officials, who paid their last respects to the slain individuals.
Two Assam Rifles personnel, Officer Balwant Singh of Bagdodara in Bageshwar district and Havildar Chandra Mohan Singh of Dindhatuli in Buri Garhwal district, both in Uttarakhand, died of bullet wounds during the ambush by unidentified militants in Nongchangkhong village, about 16 km from Ukrul district headquarters, at around 1.30 pm in July. 6.
A guard of honor was accorded to the two individuals as senior officials of the Army, Assam Rifles and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) joined the ceremony to pay their final respects.
The remains were later flown to Uttarakhand for the last rites.
Inspector Marchang W, officer-in-charge of Ukrul police station, said the ambush took place at around 1.40pm while a convoy of the 40th battalion of the Assam Rifles was returning to its base in Changshak.
“The attack on the 40th Assam Rifles convoy took place on July 6 at around 1.40 pm while they were on their way to their base at Changshak. Two personnel – Officer Balwan Singh and Havildar Chandra Mohan Singh – sustained fatal injuries and died on the spot,” he added.
He said senior police officers, including a police inspector and additional superintendent of police, rushed to the spot immediately after the attack and cordoned off the area.
“Manipur Police and Assam Rifles squads from Ukrul and Changshak have launched a joint search operation. However, no suspects involved in the attack have been arrested so far,” the officer said.
Security forces intensified search operations in the area while investigations into the ambush continue.
