Five injured, police rule out possibility of CM being target
IMPHAL, July 12: A powerful IED explosion barely 10 minutes after the State Chief Minister passed by left five civilians including a minor injured along the Imphal Moreh highway this morning.
All five injured were travelling in a diesel auto rickshaw bearing registration no MN-01Z-2550 when the IED exploded around 9.25 am near the Konsam Oil pump, Langthabal Kunja Mayai Leikai.
The Improvised Explosive Device was planted on top of a tree along the highway and triggered using a remote device, informed the police.
The Chief Minister enroute to Chandel district to inaugurate a mini secretariat complex had passed by the site a few minutes before the blast.
However, police have ruled out that the Chief Minister and his team were targets.
Police also said that a convoy of the Assam Rifles had passed by the blast site parameter just seconds before the blast.
Local sources have also informed that the nearby tree shades were often used as resting spot by police commandos.
The injured have been identified as Md Alauddin Khan, 45, son of Md Salauddin Khan of Lilong Chingkham, Thongam Leibakmacha son of (L) Th Ningthou of Thoubal Khekman Mayai Leikai, Asem Bijoy Singh, 20 son of A Shyamkishore Singh of Thoubal Khekman Mayai Leikai, Thongam Premchand, 6 son of Th Jiten of Thoubal Khekman Mayai Leikai, Md Ziar Rehman, 20 son of Md Habibulla of Lilong Chingkham and Makakmayum Rabina, 30 wife of Md Kabir of Lilong Usoipokpi.
All five were rushed to RIMS, however the minor and his grandfather who was also injured in the blast were taken to Shija hospital.
A team of top police brass led by DGP, Sahid Ahmed visited the spot and inspected the blast site.
Forensic experts have also recovered splinters and shrapnel from the blast parameter.
A case has been registered with the concerned police station in connection with the blast.
