The commandant of 29 Assam Rifles was returning after assessing a landslide affected area in Chandel district.
Highlights
- Soldiers were returning after assessing a landslide hit area in Chandel
- Umbrella group of terrorists planned and executed the attack, say sources
- The terrorists also snatched 6 AK47 rifles, ammunition from soldiers
Six personnel including an officer of the Assam Rifles have been killed in an encounter with terrorists in Manipur's Chandel district. The men belonged to a Quick Reaction Team.
The soldiers were reportedly ambushed in Joubi at around 1 pm when they were returning after assessing a landslide affected area in the district.
Sources in the government said that an umbrella group of terrorist organisations planned and executed the attack.
The terrorists also snatched four AK 47 guns, one light machine gun, one Insas rifle and ammunition from the soldiers.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh - who reviewed the situation with top security officials -- directed the forces to take the "strongest possible action" against the terrorists involved.
Reinforcements have been sent to the area and a massive combing operation is underway.
Last year, 18 army personnel were killed in the same district in an ambush by a group of Naga militants.