Blast follows July 6 ambush in Ukhrul; probe launched as combing Ops on
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, JUL 13 (NPN): An Assam Rifles personnel was killed and five others, including a civilian, were injured, one of them critically, in a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in the Chümoukedima ‘A’ area near the Assam Rifles Training Centre and School, Shokhuvi, on Monday afternoon.
According to police sources, the incident occurred at around 2 p.m. when the Assam Rifles personnel were travelling towards Dimapur in a Mahindra pickup vehicle. Preliminary investigation suggests that the blast may have been triggered by a remote-controlled explosive device suspected to have been planted inside an autorickshaw parked along the roadside. The force of the explosion completely mangled the autorickshaw, leaving only twisted metal and scattered debris at the blast site, indicating the intensity of the blast.
One Assam Rifles personnel succumbed to injuries, while another was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in critical condition. Three others sustained minor injuries. All the injured were rushed to hospital for treatment. The deceased has been identified as one havildar Mohd Iqbal.
According to reports, a non-Naga civilian who was nearby also sustained minor injuries from shrapnel.
Following the explosion, personnel from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Army, Assam Rifles, Nagaland Police, Bomb Disposal Squad and forensic experts rushed to the site and cordoned off the area. Security forces launched coordinated combing operations in the surrounding areas.
No individual or group had claimed responsibility for the blast till the filing of this report. However, officials have not ruled out the possibility of it being a targeted attack on the paramilitary force. The incident marks the second attack targeting Assam Rifles personnel in the Northeast in less than a week.
On July 6, two personnel of the 40th Battalion of the Assam Rifles were killed after suspected militants ambushed a convoy in Manipur’s Ukhrul district. The attack triggered a prolonged exchange of fire and a large-scale search operation in the area.
Gov, CM others condemn blast
Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore yadav, chief minister Neiphiu Rio, deputy chief ministers– T.R. Zeliang and Y. Patton, and others have condemned the bomb blast at Chümoukedima that claimed the life of an Assam Rifles jawan and injured others.
Gov: Nagaland governor Nand Kishore Yadav has expressed profound grief over the death of an Assam Rifles personnel in the blast at Chümoukedima district on Monday.
In a condolence message, the governor prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his deepest sympathies to the bereaved family, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased. He also wished the injured personnel a speedy and complete recovery.
The governor strongly condemned the act of violence and expressed confidence that the concerned authorities would conduct a thorough investigation and bring those responsible to justice. He also reaffirmed his solidarity with the Assam Rifles and all security forces in their continued commitment to maintaining peace, security and stability in the state.
CM: In a post on X, Rio described the blast as a “cowardly act” that had no place in society.
“My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected. Those responsible will be identified and brought to justice. We will not allow such acts to threaten the peace and security of our people,” the chief minister stated.
Patton: Condemning the blast, Patton described it as a direct attack on the peace and security cherished by the people of Nagaland.
He expressed his thoughts and prayers for those affected and wished the injured personnel a speedy recovery. Patton said those responsible would be identified and brought to justice and would face the full force of the law.
He asserted that such acts of intimidation would not be allowed to undermine the state’s safety, peace and stability, while assuring that the administration remained committed to maintaining law and order.
Zeliang: Deputy chief minister T.R. Zeliang strongly condemned the blast at Khopanala in Chümoukedima district, stating that such acts of violence were alien and unheard of in Nagaland and had no place in the state’s peaceful society.
He said attempts to spread fear, create panic and destabilise the state must be condemned in the strongest terms. Zeliang urged law enforcement agencies to swiftly identify and bring the perpetrators to justice.
He also conveyed condolences to the family of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
CPO: Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) has strongly condemned the suspected IED blast in Chümoukedima district that claimed the life of one security personnel and left several others injured.
In a statement, CPO described the incident as a dastardly act that had no place in society. It expressed solidarity with the injured personnel and their families and urged the authorities to leave no stone unturned in identifying, apprehending and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
The organisation stated that with the ceasefire agreement in place in Nagaland, all armed factions had honoured its provisions in letter and spirit. It, therefore, said the possibility of the involvement of outside elements seeking to disrupt the peace and stability of the state could not be ruled out.
CPO maintained that only peace, harmony and mutual understanding could pave the way for lasting progress and said no individual or group should engage in acts that threatened these shared values. CPO expressed its willingness to extend all possible assistance and cooperation to the authorities to ensure justice was served and that such incidents did not recur within its jurisdiction.
BJP: BJP Nagaland also strongly condemned the alleged IED attack on an Assam Rifles convoy near Shokhuvi in Chümoukedima district, which claimed the life of an Assam Rifles jawan and injured several others.
In a statement, the party expressed condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. Describing the incident as a direct assault on peace and security, BJP Nagaland said such attacks on security forces were unacceptable and deserved the strongest condemnation.
It expressed solidarity with the Assam Rifles and other security forces and expressed confidence that those responsible would be identified and brought to justice. The party also appealed to the public to remain calm, united and vigilant, and continue extending cooperation to the security agencies.
CNTC: Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has strongly condemned the IED blast near Shokhuvi in Chümoukedima district that claimed the life of an Assam Rifles personnel and injured four others.
In a statement through its Information & Publicity Secretary Vikato I. Chishi, CNTC expressed condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Describing the incident as a cowardly act, the council said such violence had no place in society and was a direct assault on the peace, stability and progress that the people of Nagaland had been striving for.
CNTC unequivocally denounced all forms of terrorism and anti-national activities targeting security forces or innocent civilians and urged the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice at the earliest.
The council also appealed to all sections of Naga society, civil organisations and stakeholders to maintain calm and unity in the face of such provocations. It expressed solidarity with the security forces and urged the people to collectively reject violence and work towards a peaceful and prosperous Nagaland.
Moatoshi: Advisor for Labour, Employment & Skill Development and Excise, Moatoshi Longkumer, has strongly condemned the IED blast at Chümoukedima ‘A’ that claimed the life of an Assam Rifles personnel and injured four others.
In a statement, Moatoshi described the incident as a “heinous and cowardly act” that deserved the strongest condemnation. He said such acts of violence not only targeted those dedicated to maintaining peace and security but also endangered innocent lives and disrupted the fragile harmony of the region.
Stating that there could be no justification for such brutality, he said incidents of this nature only created fear, mistrust and suffering at a time when efforts were being made to ensure stability and progress.
Moatoshi urged law enforcement agencies to conduct a swift investigation and bring those responsible to justice.
He also expressed condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased personnel and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, while reaffirming that the people of Nagaland stood united in rejecting violence and remained committed to peace, law and order.
NPC: Nagaland Peace Centre (NPC), Kohima, has strongly condemned the suspected IED attack at Sukhovi on July 13 that injured several Assam Rifles personnel while they were on their way to an official programme.
In a press release, NPC chairman Pedi Miachieo said the explosion was believed to have been a premeditated attack targeting the Assam Rifles personnel.
The centre expressed resentment against the individuals, groups or underground factions responsible for the incident, describing it as an inhumane act, an act of rebellion against the law and a threat to peace.
Stating that any threat or act of violence that hampers peace could not be tolerated, NPC said the incident was particularly unfortunate at a time when Nagas had been patiently waiting for a peaceful resolution to the Naga political issue.
NPC further stated that senseless killings, violence and chaos reflected a mindset devoid of humanity and that those responsible did not deserve a place in a society striving to live in peace.
LJP (RV): Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Nagaland State Unit, has strongly condemned the IED blast near Sukhovi in Chümoukedima district that targeted an Assam Rifles vehicle, resulting in the death of Havildar Mohd. Iqbal and injuries to four other personnel.
The party, in a statement issued through its national secretary S. Richard Humtsoe, expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. It described the attack as a cowardly act of violence and a direct assault on peace, public safety and democratic values.
The party said violence and terrorism could never be justified and reaffirmed its solidarity with the security forces for their sacrifices in safeguarding the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the nation.
It urged the authorities to conduct a swift, impartial and thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice. The party also appealed to citizens, civil society organisations and community leaders to remain united, maintain peace and reject all forms of violence and extremism.