Imphal, October 21: Personnel of 24 Assam Rifles safely detonated five bombs this morning at 10 suspected to have been planted by UG activists in between Khudenthabi and Kwatha Lamkhai (junction), about 12 kilometres north of Moreh police station.

According to a reliable source, the 24 Assam Rifles post at Khudenthabi received information of the bombs being planted at around 10 pm yesterday.

The AR personnel after stopping traffic in the particular section on the Imphal-Moreh route launched an intensive search along with the unit's bomb experts and after recovering the explosive devices set them off between 10-11 am today.

After the search that extended till Lokchao, Moreh bound vehicles were allowed to pass through at around 2.15 pm.

No vehicles arrived from Moreh side till late evening.

Our Moreh correspondent adds: Out of several IEDs recovered by sniffer dogs and personnel/bomb experts belonging to the 24 AR's D Coy destroyed four.

Detailing on the recovery and subsequent defusing of the explosive devices Col KS Kadian informed of launching the search since 5 in the morning with the first recovery was made nearly half an hour later about 2 km away from Khudenthabi village.

While disclosing recovery of about 26 bombs, most were found planted along the NH-39 section with 2/3 planted on the Khudengthabi -Kwatha junction.

While there is no movement of vehicle from Moreh side passengers and goods carriers from Imphal side, if any, are yet to reach the border town till the time of filing this report.

Contrary to the official version, sources informed of a loud blast when a patrol party of the AR unit reached Kwatha approach road.

One sepoy is informed to have suffered minor splinter wounds.

Body recovered : During the follow up search operations launched at Lairem Khullen village following the fierce gun fight between troops of 34 Assam Rifles and suspected PULF cadres, the troops recovered one body today from the said village.

The body bears shrapnel injuries probably suffered in the encounter with Assam Rifles personnel, said a statement issued by the office of IG AR (South).

In another incident, militants opened fire at the 24 AR post at Khudengthabi last night at around 10.30.

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