A colonel of the Assam Rifles, his wife and eight-year-old son and four soldiers were killed in a terror attack in Manipur's Churachanpur on Saturday. "Their sacrifices will never be forgotten," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while strongly condemning the attack near the border with Myanmar in Manipur.
Strongly condemn the attack on the Assam Rifles convoy in Manipur. I pay homage to those soldiers and family members who have been martyred today. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 13, 2021
The Commanding Officer of 46 Assam Rifles, Colonel Viplav Tripathy, had gone to a forward camp on Saturday and was returning when his convoy was ambushed, sources said.
"Justice will be delivered," said Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh, adding, massive combing operation has been started in the area. "Justice will be delivered," he said.
The state forces and paramilitary troops are already on their job to track down the terrorists, Mr Singh wrote on Twitter.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP-led government at the Centre Modi government over the attack. "The terrorist attack on the army convoy in Manipur once again proves that the Modi government is not capable of protecting the nation. My condolences to the those killed in action and condolences to their families. The nation will remember your sacrifice," he said in a tweet in Hindi.
मणिपुर में सेना के क़ाफ़िले पर हुए आतंकी हमले से एक बार फिर साबित होता है कि मोदी सरकार राष्ट्र की सुरक्षा करने में असमर्थ है।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 13, 2021
शहीदों को मेरी श्रद्धांजलि व उनके परिवारजनों को शोक संवेदनाएँ। देश आपके बलिदान को याद रखेगा।
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the incident as a "cowardly" attack. "The nation has lost 5 brave soldiers including CO 46 AR and two family members," he tweeted.
The cowardly attack on an Assam Rifles convoy in Churachandpur, Manipur is extremely painful & condemnable. The nation has lost 5 brave soldiers including CO 46 AR and two family members.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) November 13, 2021
My condolences to the bereaved families. The perpetrators will be brought to justice soon.
This is the first time that civilians have died in an ambush in this remote area of the district. The location is an extremely remote village around 50 km from Churachandpur.
Manipur-based terrorist groups People's Liberation Army, or PLA, and Manipur Naga People's Front, or MNPF, have claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement.
"The entire nation awats justice," tweeted 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.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 13, 2021
Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The entire nation awaits justice!
The Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force, is used for the maintenance of law and order in the northeast. It also guards the Indo-Myanmar border in the region.
Home Minister Amit Shah expressed "anguish over the cowardly attack and said "the entire nation stands firmly with our valiant security forces".
Other Congress leaders, including Ashok Gehlot and Jairam Ramesh, also condemned the attack and demanded action against those behind it.
"Strongly condemn the cowardly attack on Assam Rifles convoy in Churachandpur, Manipur in which five brave personnel and two family members lost their lives. Salute their martyrdom and extend sincere condolences to the bereaved families," Rajasthan Chief Minister Gehlot said on Twitter.
Strongly condemn the cowardly attack on Assam Rifles convoy in Churachandpur, #Manipur in which 5 brave personnel and two family members lost their lives. Salute their martyrdom and extend sincere condolences to the bereaved families.
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) November 13, 2021
"This is absolutely shocking and deeply saddening! Hope those responsible will be brought to justice soon," said former union minister Jairam Ramesh.
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