Imphal, December 02: In a broad day light attack launched by suspected underground cadres at Khurai Lamlong today morning, four CRPF personnel and three civilians sustained injuries.

According to eye witnesses account, the incident occurred when CRPF personnel belonging to the 7th battalion and posted at Sajiwa Jail arrived at the Lamlong Bazar Post Office in a 407 Mini truck (MH14V/7795) at around 11 am.

As some of the security men entered the post office to send bank draft with four of them guarding the vehicle about 2/3 youths showed up and detonated a grenade resulting in the four personnel inside the Mini truck suffering injuries.

As the CRPF men retaliated by firing several rounds and blasting bombs, one youth suspected to be among the assailants suffered leg injuries but managed to escape from the scene.

A .38 revolver said to have been dropped by the injured UG suspect was recovered from near the spot of the incident.

A CRPF personnel later informed media persons that the attackers fled towards the congested Lamlong Bazar.

The three civilians hurt during the UG-CRPF skirmishes include a class IX student of Lamlong Higher Secondary School (opposite to the post office) Konsam Premi Devi from Khurai Konsam Leikai, Ahanthem Loken (45) of Khurai Thoidingjam Leikai and Oinam Pongpai (24) of Khurai.

Premi Devi sustained injury at the right ankle, Loken at the thigh while Pongpai suffered knee wound.

All three have been admitted at JN Hospital.

On the other hand the injured CRPF personnel have been identified as Ram Krishna Yadav (26) from UP, Jagdish Chandra (37) from Haryana, Om Bin (26) of UP and M Gopal (36) from Kerala.

While all of them suffered multiple injuries, Om Bin is stated to be in serious-condition with wounds at the chest.

The CRPF men were later referred to RIMS Hospital after administration of first aid at JN Hospital.

Shortly after the blast, State police personnel led by Imphal East SDPO and the CRPF personnel cordoned off some specific area and conducted search operations.

Suspects were herded inside Lamlong HR Sec School premise for verification.

On hearing the blast people ran helter skelter specially at the nearby Lamlong Keithel.

Later, police personnel recovered an abandoned Hero Honda motorbike red in colour bearing registration number MN1E/6275 from the Keithel.

The CRPF vehicle has also been substantially damaged with the front side window glass smashed and about a foot width gap visible in the centre of the vehicle floor.

The CRPF DIG also reached the incident spot and assessed the situation.

In the meantime, DGP AK Parashar described the attack as a fallout of desperation of underground outfits and to strain cordial relationships between the general public and the security force through attacks at crowded places.

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