Imphal: An ambush on an Assam Rifles convoy in Churachandpur area of Manipur killed a 46 AR Commanding Officer Col Viplab Tripathi, his wife Anuja and 8-year-old son Abeer on Saturday, barely four months after the officer took charge in the northeastern state.
Tripathi was among five AR personnel killed when the convoy of Assam Rifles was ambushed by insurgents in Thinghat around 11am.
People’s Liberation Army, the armed wing of Revolutionary People’s Front and Manipur Naga People’s Front, have claimed responsibility for the ambush.
"The attack on the Assam Rifles convoy that led to martyrdom of our soldiers and family members in Manipur deserves unreserved condemnation. This cowardly act reaffirms our resolve to root out terror in all its forms and manifestations. We stand united with the bereaved families," President Ram Nath Kovind said.
"Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.
Modi "strongly condemned" the attack and paid "homage to those soldiers and family members who have been martyred". Director General and all ranks of Assam Rifles offered condolences to the soldiers and families of the deceased.
The Assam Rifles suspected the insurgent group responsible for the massacre to be the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK).
In a statement issued, the AR said they suspected that the insurgent group responsible for this massacre "must be from PREPAK (People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak) cadre as the PREPAK remembrance day is celebrated on 12/13 November".
The attack took place near S Sehken village under Singhat sub-division when Tripathi along with his family and other soldiers were returning from Behiang, a border post.
"In the firefight which followed with the militants, the Commanding officer and three QRT (quick response team) personnel lost their lives on the spot,” Assam Rifles said in a statement.
It said Tripathi’s wife and son were also killed in the attack and that injured personnel were admitted at the Behianga health care centre.
"During his tenure at Mizoram, under his able and energetic leadership, the Battalion has been at the forefront in Border management thwarting illegal smuggling in the IMB and hinterland. Battalion has also recovered several weapons and war-like stores which could have landed in the hands of anti-national elements thus avoiding major casualties,” the paramilitary force said in a statement issued to the media.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also condemned "the cowardly attack on an Assam Rifles convoy" and said it was "extremely painful".
"The nation has lost 5 brave soldiers including CO 46 AR and two family members.
My condolences to the bereaved families. The perpetrators will be brought to justice soon," he tweeted.
Manipur CM N.Biren Singh said: "Visited Shija Hospital to check up on one of the jawans who was badly injured in today’s unfortunate ambush attack. I have directed my officials and hospital authority to provide the best medical care for the jawan. The sacrifice of our jawans will not go in vain."
"Met the officials of Assam Rifles at Shija hospital and inquired about the condition of the personnel who got injured in today’s ghastly incident in Churachandpur. Praying for their speedy recovery," he tweeted.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the attack and slammed the government.
"The terrorist attack on the army convoy in Manipur once again proves that the Modi government is incapable of protecting the nation. My condolences to the martyrs and condolences to their families. The nation will remember your sacrifice," he tweeted.
"Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The entire nation awaits justice!" said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. "I strongly condemn the dastardly attack by militants on a convoy of 46 Assam Rifles in Manipur. It pains me to learn that we have lost five brave soldiers, including the CO & his family members," she tweeted. (UNI)
