Correspondent
KOHIMA, NOV 11 (NPN): A suspected improvised explosive device (IED) exploded near Khuzama village along the highway (AH-2) on Wednesday morning between 7 a.m. and 7.30 a.m., damaging a retaining wall and surrounding vegetation. No casualties were reported.
Police described the explosion as a low-intensity blast that damaged roadside infrastructure but caused no injuries or loss of life.
Confirming the incident, PRO Kohima Police said the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (South), along with the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), Mobile Unit (MU) and other police personnel, were deployed at the site to examine the circumstances surrounding the blast.
A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team was also requisitioned to examine the scene and collected evidence to assist the investigation. Police said verification and investigation were underway to ascertain the circumstances of the explosion. Security had been strengthened in the area as a precautionary measure. The blast occurred along a key highway connecting Nagaland with Manipur and other parts of the region. There was no immediate information on any disruption to traffic or recovery of explosive remnants from the site.
The sound of the explosion was reportedly heard in Khuzama village, following which village youths proceeded to the site to ascertain what had happened.
CM, SAPO condemn blast
Nagaland chief minister Dr Neiphiu Rio has strongly condemned the reported blast at Khuzama, Kohima, saying such acts had no place in a civilised society.
In a post on X, Rio said the incident created fear among people and threatened peace and harmony. He said the state government was seized of the situation and all necessary steps were being taken to ensure the safety and security of the people.
SAPO: Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) has strongly condemned the suspected improvised explosive device blast along the highway near Khuzama village on Wednesday morning, describing it as an assault on peace and security.
In a statement issued by its president, Er. Tepul Hopovi, SAPO said the blast occurred between 7 am and 7.30 am and damaged a retaining wall. No loss of life or injury to civilians was reported.
SAPO said the incident was a direct challenge to the peace, security and dignity of the people of Southern Angami and Nagaland. It said planting an explosive on a public highway used daily by students, farmers, commuters, patients, tourists and security personnel was an act of cruelty that could have endangered innocent lives.
The organisation said the people of Southern Angami had upheld peace, unity, brotherhood and mutual respect for generations, and would not allow such acts to undermine those values. It alleged that the perpetrators intended to create fear, disrupt normal life and derail the collective aspiration for lasting peace and progress.
SAPO appealed to citizens to remain calm, vigilant and avoid rumours, panic and speculation. It urged the public to report any suspicious object, movement or person to village authorities or the nearest police station.
The organisation also pledged full cooperation with the Nagaland Police, Khuzama Police Station and other security agencies in the investigation, and urged citizens to extend similar cooperation.
SAPO demanded that those responsible be traced and apprehended without delay and prosecuted under the highest provisions of the law, calling for exemplary punishment to deter similar incidents.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace, justice and public welfare, SAPO expressed solidarity with the people of Khuzama and other peace-loving citizens.