Moreh, July 20: Three children have been killed while two others sustained injuries when a bomb which was reportedly found planted in a playground exploded at Phaisanjang (Yangoulen) village under Moreh Police Station but falling within Tengnoupal Sub-Division exploded yesterday evening.

Condemning the incident, KSO Chandel district, however, contended that it was an unprovoked rocket launcher attack by UNLF which claimed the lives of three children and caused injuries to two other.

In a statement, information and publicity secretary of the student body James Baite said the attack was carried out at around 5 pm yesterday by UNLF without any rhyme or reason.

As far as the villagers are concerned, they have no enmity with the insurgents and so it is surprising as to why such inhumane attack was carried out on civilians, James added.

The three children who have been killed in the blast have been identified as Pasak (6) s/o Tonga and Hmar, Jamhou (10) s/o late Onkholet Haokip and Thulungmawi Mizo (5) d/o Ate while the injured as Baby Tinneilam (4) d/o Thangzapao and Jamminsei (7) s/o Ate.

The injured Jamminsei is said to be the brother of Thulungmawi who was killed in the blast.

The injured have been admitted to the hospital.

They were hit by bomb splinters on the eyes, heads and hands.

The right hand of Jamminsei had been reportedly severed in the blast.

Talking to this correspondent, chief of Yangoulen village informed that the five children were playing in the playground located not far from the village when the bomb which was already planted there exploded.

Two of the victims died on the spot while the other at the hospital.

The village chief further informed that as there is no medical facilities in the village, the injured had to be taken to Khampat Hospital in Myanmar which is located not very far from the village.

In case, the condition of the injured kids does not improve, then they would be brought to Moreh for treatment.

According to information received by the press, the bodies of the three kids lying in Khampat Hospital would be brought to Moreh for post-mortem before handing them over to their respective family members for performing their last rites.

In the same statement, KSO Chandel district has also strongly condemned the kidnapping of two villagers namely Seilal (56) of New Samtal and Ngulkai (20) of Lajang village allegedly by UNLF.

The whereabouts of the kidnapped persons have not been known till date, James Baite said, while appealing to the armed outfit to release the persons unharmed at the soonest possible.