Cowardly attack on Army convoy in Manipur; Seven martyred

New Delhi / Imphal – Rebels attacked an army convoy of 46 Assam Rifles in Manipur on Saturday morning. The commanding officer, his wife, son and four soldiers were martyred in the attack. Three soldiers were also injured in the attack. This is the biggest attack by insurgents in Manipur since 2015. The People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) is believed to be behind the attack. After this, a major operation was launched in the area and clashes with the rebels were reported. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the attack and conveyed the message that the sacrifices of these martyrs will not be forgotten. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has warned that those behind the attack will be made to suffer the consequences.

As the 46 Assam Rifles convoy approached Sahkan village in Churachandpur district, the insurgents detonated an IED and started indiscriminate firing. Three soldiers and Col. Viplav Tripathi, the Assam Rifles’ Quick Response Team (QRT) commanding officer, were killed on the spot. Colonel Viplav Tripathi’s wife and six-year-old son were also in the CRPF vehicle. They were also killed in the attack. Another soldier died while being taken to hospital. Three soldiers were injured.

There were reports that clashes were still going on in the area. Reinforcements have been sent to the area and the entire area has been cordoned off. A search operation has been launched and two rebels have reportedly been arrested. Martyr Colonel Viplav Tripathi was stationed in Mizoram till July. He was posted in Churachandpur three months ago. While stationed in Mizoram, major operations were carried out under his leadership. He played an important role in curbing illegal trafficking. He had also seized a large number of arms during various operations.

Meanwhile, there has been a nationwide outcry over the attack. In 2015, the United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia carried out a similar attack on an Indian Army convoy in the Chandel district of Manipur. Memories of the attack were refreshed on this occasion. In the attack of 2015, 20 jawans were martyred and 15 others were injured. After the attack, the Indian Army invaded Myanmar and carried out a surgical strike, destroying a terrorist base. Even now, the government is likely to take major action.

The reactions of the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister are indicative of this. Four days ago, Assam Rifles personnel seized 200 IEDs near the Myanmar border in Manipur. These IEDs could have been used to cause huge damage. However, due to the action of Assam Rifles, the plot was foiled. Strong action is being taken against the rebels who have not given up the path of violence, not only in Manipur but also in Northeast India.

Last year, a pro-Chinese military took over power in Myanmar, overthrowing the democratic government. Since then, there has been an increase in arms and drug trafficking and anti-India activities along the Myanmar border. All major insurgent groups, including the ULFA in northeast India, have joined the peace talks with the government. But some organizations have refused to lay down their arms. Action against them will be intensified after the attack in Churachandpur. At the same time, the covert support of the military regime in Myanmar for anti-India activities has once again become a threat to Indian security.