New Delhi, Jul 13 : A Havildar of the Assam Rifles was killed and four other personnel injured when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated near a training centre in Nagaland’s Chumoukedima district on Monday.
Officials identified the deceased as Havildar Mohd Iqbal, a resident of Kallar Mohra area of Mendhar in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The explosion occurred at approximately 2 pm near Sukhovi when a vehicle in an Assam Rifles convoy was struck by the blast. The area houses a training centre of the force .
The injured personnel were immediately shifted to a government hospital for treatment. Officials stated their condition is stable. A civilian also sustained injuries from debris in the attack .
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton, and Director General of Assam Rifles Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera strongly condemned the attack and vowed stringent action against those responsible. In a post on X, Rio termed the bomb blast a “cowardly act that has no place in our society” and said those responsible will be brought to justice .
Security forces have launched a massive search operation in and around the area to track down the perpetrators. In a tribute, the Assam Rifles stated that Lt Gen Lakhera and all ranks paid solemn tribute to Havildar Iqbal “who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty” and offered deep condolences to the bereaved family .
The incident comes eight days after two Assam Rifles personnel were killed when suspected Naga armed militants ambushed an Assam Rifles vehicle along the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on July 6. Massive joint operations are still underway to track down those responsible for that attack .
