New Delhi, July 13: An Assam Rifles Havildar from Jammu and Kashmir was killed while four other personnel were injured after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded near a training centre in Nagaland’s Chumoukedima district on Monday.
Officials identified the slain soldier as Havildar Mohd Iqbal, a resident of Kallar Mohra in Mendhar area of Poonch district.
Defence spokesperson in Nagaland told Kashmir Convener thar the blast occurred at around 2 pm near Sukhovi when an Assam Rifles convoy vehicle was hit by the IED. The area houses an Assam Rifles training centre.
The injured personnel were rushed to a government hospital, where their condition is reported to be stable. A civilian also suffered injuries after being struck by debris from the explosion.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton, and Assam Rifles Director General Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera condemned the attack and vowed strict action against those responsible.
In a statement, the spokesperson said Lt Gen Lakhera and all ranks paid solemn tribute to Havildar Mohd Iqbal, who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, and expressed condolences to his family.
Security forces have launched a massive search operation in and around the area to trace those behind the attack.
The incident comes eight days after two Assam Rifles personnel were killed in an ambush by suspected Naga militants on the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway in Manipur’s Ukhrul district. Joint operations are continuing to track down the attackers.
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