Imphal, December 29: Three children have been seriously wounded when a powerful blast occurred at near Ngariyan community hall at around 8.30 am today.

The blast site is located about four kilometres west of Bishnupur police station.

The injured children are Khundrakpam Ibomcha (12) s/o Kh Tomba of Ngariyan, Lugaisinlu (4.5 yrs) d/o Paochagai Panmei of Chinikom and Millennium Boy (5 yrs) s/o george Kachangam Kamei of Ngariyan.

Quoting Army authorities, PIB Defence Wing in a statement said that the IED was planted by the KYKL and added that in another incident, one person from New Munlien village sustained injuries when he stepped onto an IED planted by militants at Bekra circle.

Sources said that the explosive device might have gone off when the three children were playing around the community hall compound.

It may be recalled that at the very site on September 19, 2005 at around 7.45 pm activists of the banned KYKL had gunned down 11 personnel of the 5/8 GR stationed at Ngariyan hill range.

According to police source, the explosive device is a lethode bomb which could have been misfired and left undetected in the KYKL ambush.

Of the three injured children, Millennium Boy suffered grievous wounds on the right eye and the upper torso and is stated to be in critical condition.

Lugaisinlu also suffered bomb splinter wounds on most body parts but is ruled out of danger while both the legs of Kh Ibomcha had to be amputated below the knee.

The nature of injury inflicted upon Ibomcha indicates that the nearly five year old boy might have stepped or kicked the explosive device, added informed sources.

However, local witnesses informed a media team that one of the children playfully picked up the bomb before it went off.

Fortunately for the victims, Tamenglong district�s Deputy Commissioner T Pamei arrived at the scene soon after and evacuated the wounded children to RIMS Hospital in his vehicle.

The blast site is located on the Old Cachar road which connects Bishnupur and Tamenglong districts.

Bishnupur district SP Lhari Dorjee also arrived at the scene and supervised preliminary spot investigation.

In addition to being the KYKL ambush site, Ngariyan village is located close to the JK Light Infantry post.

Even though villagers were certain that about four children were playing near the community hall none could ascertain exact cause of the blast.

The fourth child is said to be one Diana Pamei (3 yrs).

Indrani Panmei, whose residence is adjacent to the hall, narrated of seeing the four children scouring for toy-gun pellets and moments later hearing a deafening sound.

When she reached the blast spot the children were wailing and there was none to provide assistance as most of the village elders were tending fields, Indrani added.

Villagers informed the media team of hearing some blank fire from near the JKLI post last night at around 8 o�clock.

A hurriedly convened public meeting attended by representatives of ZSU, ZU, AZSU, Kabui Mothers� Assn and Rongmei Women Union condemned the incident.

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