Naga insurgent outfit Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-A (NSCN) has claimed responsibility for the attack on an Indian Army convoy in which at least 18 soldiers were killed in Manipur on Thursday. The attack, the deadliest in the last three decades, took place when the 6 Dogra Infantry Regiment was being deinducted from the area. Eighteen soldiers were killed in the attack and 11 were injured after terrorists ambushed a convoy of the 6 Dogra under Tengnoupal Police Station in Chandel district of Manipur.
According to intelligence sources, the attackers came from Myanmar and officials say more than one insurgent group active in the region could be involved. Along with NSCN-K, terror group Kanglei Yawol Kunna Lup (KYKL) is also said to be behind the attack.
The NIA has also registered a case and will be scrutinising the route through which the terrorists procured such sophisticated weaponry. The possibility of the attack being a handiwork of more than one more organisation is not being ruled out.
The ambush was laid by an unidentified terrorist outfit under Tengnoupal Police Station in the district. Sources said terrorists used heavy firepower in the attack. The Army convoy was on a road opening patrol and was attacked with rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
After the army vehicle was damaged, the terrorists used automatic rifles to fire indiscriminately at the soldiers resulting in the heavy casaulty. Some terrorists have also been killed in the retaliatory fire by the soldiers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack as mindless and very distressing. “Today’s mindless attack in Manipur is very distressing. I bow to each and every soldier who has sacrificed his life for the Nation,” he tweeted.