Three Assam Rifles personnel killed by militants in Manipur, five others injured

Three Assam Rifles personnel were killed and five others injured in an attack by militants on Wednesday night in Manipur's Chandel district, close to the India-Myanmar border.

Sources said a group of 15 Assam Rifles personnel, who were on an area domination patrol, was first attacked with an improvised explosive device (IED) at around 6.30 pm at Sajik Tampak, about 100km south of Imphal and then bullets were sprayed at them

Three personnel, Pranay Kalita, Ratan Salam and Methna Konyak died on the spot while five others were rushed to a military hospital with bullet injuries. Kalita hailed from Nalbari district in western Assam.

Security forces launched a combing operation in the area against the militants.

Although security forces did not name a particular rebel group, three Northeast-based militant groups claimed responsibility for the attack. A statement emailed to DH on Thursday said a "combined force" of Manipur Na People's Front (MNPF), Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) and United Liberation Front Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) carried out the attack and killed four security forces.

Assam Rifles, which operates under the Ministry of Defence, guards the India-Myanmar border in the Northeast.

In June 2015, militants in Manipur had carried out a similar attack on Assam Rifles forces in Chandel district killing 18 personnel.

Condemning the attack, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh tweeted, "I strongly condemn the cowardly attack on 4 Assam Rifles in Chandel district. My heartfelt tribute to the 3 security personnel martyred in the attack. These bravehearts have sacrificed their lives to bring peace & harmony in this region. I share the grief of the bereaved families."

Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal also condoled the deaths.