Soldier killed in Manipur blast

A soldier died while three persons were injured in a powerful blast near the international border in Manipur early on Monday morning, an official said.

The deceased, identified as Rifleman Arjun (only first name disclosed), died in a hospital near here, sources said.

According to reports, the foreign-made remote-controlled bomb exploded at Lokchao along the Trans Asian Highway 102 as the personnel of the 165 Territorial Army were passing by, the official said.

The injured were air-lifted to an army hospital at Leimakhong near the state capital.

Police has launched a search operation in the area. No groups have claimed responsibility for the blast.