Four IRB men killed in booby trap blast in Manipur

Imphal, January 07: Four IRB riflemen were killed and seven were injured in a booby trap explosion triggered by militants today at Kakching Khunou Lamkhai under Kakching police station at around 9.40 this morning. KYKL (O) has claimed responsibility for the attack. A special operation team of the outfit carried out the attack said a Commander of the team over phone later. He said the outfit had no intention of attacking IRB, MR and police personnel. It was a case of mistaken identity, he clarified. The outfit also expressed regret over the incident and shared the grief and pain of the bereaved families. The incident occurred while a combined force led by the Thoubal SP, Clay Khongsai was on its way to Kakching Khunou as a back up force for operations conducted by police commandos of Imphal West and Thoubal at Laphupat Tera, Khordak Ichil, Sarik Konjil and Tokpa Ching. The Government has decided to pay an ex-gratia of Rs 2.5 lac each to the families of the deceased personnel, informed the DGP. All medical expenses of the injured will also be borne by the government. Clay Khongsai said the bomb was activated through a remote control device. The combined force were in four Gypsy, including the SP?s vehicle and two bullet proof vehicles of Manipur Rifles. Two bullet proof vehicles carrying IRB personnel from the 2nd IRB post at Langmeidong also joined the SP team. The IRB men were led by a Havildar. The booby trap exploded when the four Gypsy including the SP?s vehicle had just passed Kakching Khunou Lamkhai. One bullet proof vehicle carrying IRB personnel bore the full impact of the blast. The vehicle was in the fifth row. The impact of the blast flung the bullet proof vehicle a few feet away in the air over turning it, said sources. Two IRB men died instantly. They were crushed by the bullet proof vehicle and hit by bomb splinters all over their body. They are LD Maiko (25) of Karong, Senapati and Thoho Hena (24) of Puren Atongba, Senapati. Nine IRB personnel who were injured in the explosion were rushed to JN hospital. Two IRB men however succumbed to injuries at the hospital. The two are identified as Lairenlakpam Jiten (24) of Bashikhong Wangkhei Loumanbi and Orison Tangkhul (25) of Ngaingu village, Ukhrul district. Out of the seven injured personnel four had been discharged from hospital. As soon as the bomb went off with a deafening noise, the combined force opened fire. Additional police force led by the DGP, 2 IRB COs rushed to the spot on immediate receipt of information and conducted a massive search operation at Leingang Ching, New Changyang, Ihang, Umathel and Kakching Khunou. Advisor EN Rammohan also rushed to the spot. This is the second time Clay Khongsai has come under attack. Militants had also struck at the same spot last year.