IMPHAL, May 26: In the third attack launched by underground cadres on security forces within a period of eight days from May 19, a Border Security Force (BSF) personnel got injured when two Improvised Explosive Devices exploded in a paddy field near Betel High School at Itham Moirangpurel under Lamlai Police Station, Imphal East district today around 3.40 pm.
The site is situated around 17 km south east of the police station and just 500 meters away from the post of 49 BN BSF “G” Coy at Moirangpurel.
The paddy field is situated alongside the road which leads to Itham Moirangpurel and Maphou Dam from Napet Palli, Lamlai.
According to reports, BSF personnel as usual were on a Road Opening Patrol (ROP) duty through a paddy field around 100 feet from the road when two IEDS planted by UG cadres suddenly exploded.
It is said that the IEDs were triggered by remote control device. In the attack, an under training IRB (Chandigarh) personnel attached to the 49 BN BSF post suffered injuries.
The bomb splinters hit his right hand and stomach. He was taken to hospital for treatment. His condition is now out of danger, the reports said.
Soon after the bomb attack, reinforcement of BSF forces and officials rushed to the blast site and conducted combing operation. A team of police led by OC Lamlai Police Station also came in to enquire the incident.
It may be mentioned that a special warfare team of PLA attacked a BSF column at Heirok on May 19. Also, Coordination Committee (CorCom), a conglomerate of several armed outfits laid a fierce ambush on 29 Assam Rifles at Joupi village in Chandel district on May 22 killing six soldiers including a Junior Commission Officer (JCO).
Meanwhile, PLA, the armed wing of Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) has claimed responsibility for the IED attack.
The outfit in a press statement signed by its Chief Department of Publicity, Bangkim claimed that the IED attack inflicted severe casualties to the BSF troopers.
Stating that the attack was carried out by a special warfare team of the outfit, the statement said Chief of Army Staff from War Office of the outfit hailed executors, members of the special warfare and performers of the daring IED attack.