One Assam Rifles personnel was killed and another 4 injured after a powerful explosion, suspected to have been triggered by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), struck an Assam Rifles Bolero Camper at Chümoukedima ‘A’ Village near Sukhovi on Monday afternoon.
According to PRO Defence, “A suspected IED blast is reported near Sukhovi on Assam Rifles vehicles. One security personnel has lost his life, and four have been injured. Operation is in progress. Further details are awaited.”
The deceased, identified as Havildar Mohd. Iqbal, was said to be a driver in the Assam Rifles unit.
Sources said that the blast occurred at around 2 p.m. on a roadside stretch in the village. An auto-rickshaw was completely destroyed in the explosion, while the Assam Rifles vehicle sustained extensive damage, sources informed.
Sources maintained that the impact of the blast also damaged nearby shops, residential houses and other structures, with the force of the explosion reportedly shaking buildings in the surrounding area.
Soon after the incident, personnel of the Assam Rifles, officers from Chümoukedima Police led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and Officer-in-Charge (OC), along with district administration officials, rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area. .
A forensic team was also requisitioned to examine the scene as part of the investigation.
Sources said that soon after the incident people from the nearby area gathered and assisted in evacuating the injured personnel, who were rushed to Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR) for treatment.
Remains of the Autorickshaw after the blast
Governor of Nagaland, Nand Kishore Yadav has expressed profound grief over the tragic loss of life of an Assam Rifles personnel at Chümoukedima district on July 13.
The Governor prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and extended his deepest sympathies to the family, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased. He also wished the injured personnel a speedy and complete recovery.
The Governor also strongly condemned the heinous act of violence and expressed confidence that the concerned authorities would carry out a thorough investigation to bring those responsible to justice. He reaffirmed his solidarity with the Assam Rifles and all security forces in their unwavering commitment to maintaining peace, security and stability in the State.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio described the bomb blast at a ‘cowardly act’ and said those responsible would be indentified and brought to justice.
“The bomb blast at Chümoukedima is a cowardly act that has no place in our society. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected. Those responsible will be identified and brought to justice. We will not allow such acts to threaten the peace and security of our people,” he wrote on X.
Reacting to the bomb blast, Deputy Chief Minister and incharge for Home, Y Patton said the cowardly bomb blast in Chümoukedima today is a direct attack on the peace and security.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this senseless act of violence. Those responsible will be identified and brought to justice. They will face the full force of the law. We will not allow such acts of intimidation to undermine the safety, peace, and stability of the state. Justice will prevail,” he wrote on X.
Patton also asserted that such acts of intimidation will not be permitted to undermine the safety, peace, and stability of the state. He assured that justice will prevail and that the administration remains committed to maintaining order and security for all citizens.
Deputy Chief Minister, TR Zeliang also condemned the bomb blast incident at Khopanala, Chumoukedima District. Such acts of violence are alien and unheard of in Nagaland and have no place in our peaceful society, he said.
Stating that attempts to spread fear, create panic and destabilize the state must be condemned in the strongest term, Zeliang urged the law enforcement agencies to swiftly identify and bring the perpetrators to justice. In a post on X, Zeliang also expressed deepest condolences to the family who lost his life and wishing a speedy recovery to those injured.
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Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party, Nagaland has strongly condemned the heinous IED attack on an Assam Rifles convoy near Sukhovi in Chümoukedima district, which claimed the life of a brave Assam Rifles jawan and left several others injured.
Extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of the martyr, who laid down his life in the service of the nation, the BJP also prayed for the speedy and complete recovery of all those injured in the attack.
“This senseless act of violence is a direct assault on peace and security. Such cowardly attacks against our security forces, who work tirelessly to protect the nation and its people, are utterly unacceptable and deserve the strongest condemnation,” it stated.
Expressing solidarity with the Assam Rifles, the armed forces, and all security personnel serving under challenging conditions to safeguard the peace and integrity of the nation, the BJP said it has full faith that the perpetrators of this heinous crime would be identified and brought to justice.
It also appealed to the people of Nagaland to remain calm, united, and vigilant, and to continue extending their cooperation to the security agencies as they carry out their duties.
