Deadly ambush on Army convoy kills 20 soldiers

The convoy was headed towards the state Capital as part of de-induction process of the infantry regiment from <g data-gr-id="25">Moltuk</g> valley near Myanmar border.

According to official sources, this is the worst ever attack on Army since Kargil operations in 1999. Most of the bodies were charred and 12 injured soldiers were <g data-gr-id="56">air-lifted</g>. The matter is of greater concern as the incident took place in north-east which has been “quiet” for past many years and the process for withdrawal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been set in motion in the region. The neighbouring state of Tripura withdrew it just a few days back. Last week after the Tripura government lifted the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, various rights bodies in Manipur too renewed their demand for withdrawal of the act from the state.

Chandel district, within which the ambush spot falls, has been witnessing skirmishes between residents and the armed forces for the past few days. According to intelligence sources, the attack could be a revenge for death of a local woman activist M <g data-gr-id="54">Ruisothing</g> <g data-gr-id="55">Aimol</g> (56), who was hit a few days back allegedly by a bullet fired by an officer of Assam Rifles. “On Wednesday the protest was called off after an agreement between the agitators and the Assam Rifles officers in the presence of government officials. We had believed that the tension had blown over but it was followed by the ghastly incident,” said a government functionary based in Imphal.

As the army launched combing operations, questions are being asked <g data-gr-id="72">on </g>why no road opening party was sent out prior to the convoy moving. After the gunfire, the militants, about 50 in number, also used daggers to attack the Armymen and set vehicles ablaze. A quick reaction team of commandos accompanying the convoy was also ambushed. Why the soldiers failed to fight back is not yet known. 

The attackers reportedly used Rocket Propelled Grenade or RPG launchers and other arms on the four-vehicle convoy. Central security agencies have said they suspect that a mixed group of militants from the Naga group NSCN (K) and the United National Liberation Front of Manipur, or UNLF, is behind the attack.

Manipur, which has a population of 2.5 million, has faced an armed insurgency for years in which several tribal militant groups are active. Security forces have struggled to contain the unrest despite being granted sweeping powers in “disturbed areas” under the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).