17 IEDs recovered, 6 defused safely
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 12: After a series of bomb hoax have been detected in the last few days and while a Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office is staying at Imphal, altogether 17 Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) were recovered from Ukhrul and Thoubal districts in an unprecedented seizure today.

A press release issued by the PRO of Hqs IG AR (S) informed that timely detection and neutralization of 14 IEDs by troops of 19 Assam Rifles along NH 150 between Mahadev camp and Litan have averted a major catastrophe.

A bomb expert defusing a bomb planted all over the place

The troops on ROP duty searched the area on suspicion during which 14 IEDs planted by the militants were detected within an area of just 200 metres (approximately).

Another IED planted by the UGs was recovered by troops of 34 Assam Rifles on NH 39 near Mile Stone 352 which was later destroyed there, added the PRO.

According to information received by press, a team of 19 Assam Rifles on ROP duty detected 14 IEDs from near Sangkai village about 6 kms away from Litan police station at about 7.30 am today.

At about 10.30 am, explosive experts of Assam Rifles removed 11 IEDs out of which three were set off safely.

During the intervening period when the IEDs were detected and removed till the time some of the IEDs were set off safely, all the vehicles coming from Imphal and Ukhrul were halted.

In a similar incident, troops of 34 AR detected some IEDs at Samram Lamkhai under Thoubal police station this morning.

After explosive experts of Manipur Police arrived at the spot, the number of IEDs planted there was found to be three.

The explosive experts set off the three IEDs safely at about 10.45 am.

Following recovery of several hoax bombs at different places of the State in the last few days, security forces have been apprehensive of real bombs planted in some parts of the State and as such they have been on high alert.

Meanwhile, the SODNER-Group Ukhrul has strongly condemned the act of planting bombs along Imphal-Ukhrul at a time when the people are preparing for the Christmas festival marked by increased traffic along the road.

A press release issued by the Group also appealed to all concerned not to carry out such criminal acts in future.