An Assam Rifles patrol was targeted in an attempted improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Manipur’s Tengnuopal district on Thursday. However, no casualties were reported, officials said, reports The Indian Express.
The incident took place at around 8.15 AM in the general area of Saibol.
A patrol of the 20 Assam Rifles Battalion, comprising 10 personnel, was out on a routine area domination patrol that began early Thursday. The personnel were in a mine-protected vehicle when the attack took place. The Assam Rifles personnel fired in retaliation.
The attack was carried out by “unidentified insurgents”, an Assam Rifles official said.
Search operations are underway to find and “neutralise” the accused.
A total of 23 Assam Rifles battalions have been deployed in Manipur based on “operational necessity” since May 3, when ethnic violence broke out between the Meitei and Kuki communities.
Amid the ongoing violence, the Assam Rifles have been involved in controversy, as Meiteis have alleged that they have been acting in a partisan manner in favour of the state’s Kuki-Zomi community.