India: Border state ambush kills five soldiers and two civilians Conflict News

The alleged insurgents have ambushed a convoy of Indian paramilitary soldiers in the northeastern state of Manipur, authorities said.

At least five Indian soldiers and two civilians have been killed in an attack by an armed group in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, authorities said.

The alleged rebels ambushed a convoy of Indian paramilitary soldiers on their way to inspect a remote village in the Churachandpur district on Saturday, police in the state capital Imphal said.

Among the dead are a colonel from the Assam Rifles group, a paramilitary force in the Indian army, his wife and his son. Four other soldiers were killed in the attack.

Police said the rebels fired automatic weapons.

Security reinforcements attended and launched a search for the attackers.

Police said it was likely that the ambush would be carried out by the People’s Liberation Army, a rebel group based in Manipur, which is fighting against Indian rule in the state. So far no insurgent group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

“The cowardly attack on a convoy of Assam Rifles is very painful and reprehensible. The nation has lost five brave soldiers, including 46 commanders, two Assam Rifles and two family members. My condolences to the bereaved families. The perpetrators will soon be brought to justice,” Rajnath Singh said. Defense Minister on Twitter.

Strongly condemn the attack on the Assam Rifles convoy in Manipur. Today I pay tribute to the martyred soldiers and their families. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the grieving families at this hour of sorrow.

– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 13, 2021

For his part, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the “sacrifice” of the dead “will never be forgotten”.

“My thoughts are with the grieving families at this hour of grief,” he wrote on Twitter.

Northeast India, which borders China, Myanmar and Bangladesh, is a troubled region where several separatist armed groups, tribes or leftists are active, with demands from autonomy to independence.

Nearly 20 rebel groups are running in Manipur, and are expected to go to the polls early next year.

According to data from the South Asian Terrorism Portal, more than 6,370 people have been killed in incidents related to Manipur militancy since 1992. In 2015, at least 20 soldiers were killed in an attack by state armed men.