The Manipur government on Tuesday paid homage to two personnel of the 40th Battalion of the Assam Rifles who were killed in an ambush by unidentified armed assailants in Ukhrul district, with a wreath-laying ceremony held at Imphal International Airport.
The ceremony, organised by the Assam Rifles, was attended by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Director General of Police Rajiv Singh, Additional Director General of Police L Dorjee, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) Major General Gaurav Sharma, Inspector General of Police, CRPF, Rajendra Narayan Dash, and other senior civil, police and military officials, who laid wreaths and paid floral tributes to the fallen soldiers.
The slain personnel were identified as Warrant Officer Balwan Singh and Havildar Chandra Mohan Singh, who were killed when their convoy came under attack in Ukhrul district on July 6.
Speaking to India Today NE, Officer-in-Charge of Ukhrul Police Station Inspector Marchang W said the ambush occurred at around 1.40 pm while a convoy of the 40th Battalion of the Assam Rifles was returning to its base at Shangshak.
“An ambush attack took place on the 40 Assam Rifles convoy on July 6 at approximately 1.40 pm while they were travelling to their base in Shangshak. Two personnel—Warrant Officer Balwan Singh and Havildar Chandra Mohan Singh—sustained fatal injuries and died on the spot,” he said.
He added that senior police officers, including the Superintendent of Police and Additional Superintendent of Police, immediately reached the scene and secured the area.
A joint search operation involving the Manipur Police and Assam Rifles personnel from Ukhrul and Shangshak was launched soon after the attack. However, no arrests have been made so far.
The wreath-laying ceremony was held amid steady rain as officials and security personnel bid a final farewell to the two soldiers. Security forces have intensified search operations in the area while the investigation into the ambush continues.
