Patrolling intensified, Thangal bazar combed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Aug 10:
Even as security has been beefed up ahead of the Independence Day celebration in Imphal and the adjoining areas, militants struck today and launched a bomb attack on a convoy of CRPF at Heirangoithong today.
No one was however hurt in the bomb attack.
Today's bomb attack comes close on the heels of the IED blasts at Thoubal district yesterday in which a JCO of the Assam Rifles was killed.
Today's incident, apparently targeting a CRPF convoy escorting a water tanker heading towards Monshangei side, took place at around 1.30 pm near Heirangoithong Makha Naoriya Pakhanglakpa Leikai, located under Singjamei police station.
Even though the attack missed the intended target by about 100 feet the bomb exploded near a stationary truck causing damages to the vehicle's fuel tank, some tyres and other lower parts.
The owner of the truck (MN01/6047) is identified as one Konjengbam Thoiba.
Police sources did not rule out the possibility that the bomb might have been hurled either from the nearby Nambul river bank or flicked from a mobile white coloured Maruti car.
neither could the police source confirm type of the explosive.
It, however, informed that to prevent escalation of violent activities by militant organisations in the run-up to the Independence Day celebration strategic deployment of security force personnel and patrolling in vulnerable locations have been taken up.
As part of the exercise, a search operation was conducted by Imphal West District police commandos today at Thangal Bazar.
During the search operation today, all the commuters and those at the shops other than salesmen were rounded up and verified by one, said the police officer adding that all have been set free as there was no suspect.
It is reported that higher-ups of the State Police Department had detailed discussions on the security situation and the actions to be taken up of the State ahead of Independence Day today.