IMPHAL: One non-commissioned officer of 17 Assam Rifles died while four other personnel of the AR unit were injured in an IED attack near Kasom village under Kasom Khullen sub-division in Kamjong district.
In connection with the incident, a statement issued by PRO IGAR (S) said that in continuation of the highest traditions of the defence forces, havildar Luhit Gogoi of 17 AR made the supreme sacrifice in the light of a dastardly act by insurgents at Kasom.
Luhit belonged to Avipura village of Sibsagar district, Assam and is survived by wife and two children, the PRO said, adding that Luhit’s valiant efforts and sacrifice will not go in vain. Luhit was part of the patrolling party of 17 AR which came under an IED attack at Bungdung, which is about one kilometre north-east of Kasom village. In this incident, Luhit got martyred and
four other personnel were seriously injured. The injured are being treated at Leimakhong Military Hospital and their conditions are stable and out of danger, the release added.
The IED allegedly planted by underground elements to target the AR troop exploded at about 12 noon thereby inflicting casualty to a foot patrol party of the unit belonging to 10 Sector Assam Rifles. Other personnel of the patrol party responded the blast by firing several rounds. The injured personnel are said to be riflemen Y Jungkum of Nagaland, Amit Kumar of UP, Lh Thanglensiam of Churachandpur and Niki Chhetri of East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya.
Immediately after receiving news of the blast, additional forces rushed to the site and conducted a massive search operation but no arrest could be made.
All the injured personnel including Havildar Gogoi were evacuated by a helicopter to military hospital at Leimakhong, where he succumbed to injuries inflicted on his head.
Meanwhile, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which was found planted along National Highway-102 near Kuraopokpi village at a spot between Kakching Lamkhai and Pallel has been safely detonated at the site on Thursday.
The IED which was planted inside an empty carton box was detected by an ROP team of 18 Assam Rifles around 8.30am.
After careful observation by officers of Kakching police and Assam Rifles, the IED was safely detonated at 11.20am.
Source: The People’s Chronicle
