Imphal, February 10: An army officer of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel of 14 Mahar Regiment was reportedly killed when a hand grenade exploded at Bongjoi village near Khengjoi under Molcham police station in Chandel district at around 7 am today.

The victim army officer has been identified as Lt Col Paras Mehra, second-in-command and officiating CO of the 14 Mahar Regiment unit posted at Bongjoi.

According to a PIB (DW), the incident occurred in early hours when an alert exercise was being carried out by the troops.

At that time some suspicious movement was observed on the ridge in Lower Bongjoi post of 14 Mahar at about 7.20 am.

Lt Col Paras Mehra who was present near the AGL post asked to fire in that direction.

While the first round went to the intended direction, the second round hit a twig probably and bursted.

A splinter of the grenade accidentally hit Lt Col Mehra near the arm pit and caused severe injury despite a bullet proof jacket worn by the officer.

While the helicopter to evacuate the officer to the hospital was hovering, Col Mehra succumbed to the accidental injuries.

Commissioned in June 1992, Lt Col Paras Mehra was from Bareilly, UP.

The officer is survived by his wife and two sons, the statement added.

Meanwhile, bodies of the three CRPF personnel, one polling personnel and a driver killed in the ambush laid by MPA cadres yesterday in between Grihang and Ningchao village under Chassad police station in Ukhrul district have been taken by the CRPF authorities and family members after post-mortem at RIMS today.

Post mortem have been conducted on Constable of G-26 Battalion CRPF Md Toushaf Ahamed Khan (24) of Naka Mannahari village, Doon district, J&K, Constable of C-26 Bn Md Mohibul Islam (23) of Bhelakhanur, Goalpara (Assam), Constable of G-26 Bn Salam Santosh (28) s/o Ibomcha of Kakching Makha Leikai, polling personnel Ngachansa Kasomwasi (23) of Kharasom Village and driver Phuritshabam Chaoba (52) of Sangaithel Makha Leikai.

Apart from being hit by numerous bomb splinters, most part of the bodies of the slain CRPF personnel have been charred.

The head and trunk of the polling personnel had been severed from his completely charred body.

While in case of Driver Chaoba, though his face was intact, his leg had been severed.

The Mahindra Jeep he was driving too had been burnt beyond redemption.

Constable Rajendro Yadav (30) of UP who sustained bullet injuries during the yesterday�s incident has been brought for treatment at RIMS Hospital.

He sustained injuries on left side of his stomach, chest and head.

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