Assam Rifles commanding officer, his family members, 4 jawans killed in terror ambush in Manipur

Source : The Times of India

Colonel Viplav Tripathi Commanding Officer of 46 Assam Rifles with his wife killed in a terrorist attack.

CHURACHANDPUR (MANIPUR)/NEW DELHI: Commanding officer of 46 Assam Rifles Colonel Viplav Tripathi, his wife and son as well as four paramilitary force personnel were on Saturday killed after terrorists ambushed their convoy in Manipur's Churachandpur district. 

Manipur terrorist group People’s Liberation Army is suspected to be behind the attack on the 46 Assam Rifles convoy. However, no one has officially claimed responsibility. 

The terrorists first carried out an Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) blast to target the convoy of Colonel Viplav Tripathi and then fired at the vehicles. 

The officer was returning from his forward company base to his battalion headquarters after supervising a civic action programme in the Churachandpur district, bordering Myanmar. 

The Commanding officer hails from Ranchi. His wife, Anuja, and eight-year-old son were accompanying him. 

Condemning the "cowardly attack", Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh said, "The State forces & Para military are already on their job to track down the militants. The perpetrators will be brought to justice."

Strongly condemn the cowardly attack on a convoy of 46 AR which has reportedly killed few personnel including the CO & his family at CCpur today. The State forces & Para military are already on their job to track down the militants. The perpetrators will be brought to justice.

— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) November 13, 2021

Police said the incident took place around 10am near Sehken village as the heavily-armed terrorists fired upon the convoy of the Assam Rifles colonel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack and paid homage to the soldiers who lost their lives.

Strongly condemn the attack on the Assam Rifles convoy in Manipur. I pay homage to those soldiers and family members who have been martyred today. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 13, 2021

According to a statement by the Assam Rifles, the insurgent group responsible for this massacre "must be from PREPAK cadre as the PREPAK remembrance day is celebrated on November 12/13". Defence minister Rajnath Singh also condemned the attack and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.

The cowardly attack on an Assam Rifles convoy in Churachandpur, Manipur is extremely painful & condemnable. The nation has lost 5 brave soldiers including CO 46 AR and two family members.

My condolences to the bereaved families. The perpetrators will be brought to justice soon.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) November 13, 2021

Assam Rifles praised the slain officer who had previously served in Mizoram until his transfer to Manipur in July 2021. 

"During his tenure in Mizoram, under his able and energetic leadership, the battalion has been at the forefront in Border management thwarting illegal smuggling in the IMB and hinterland. Battalion has also recovered several weapons & war like stores which could have landed in the hands of anti-national elements thus avoiding major casualties," Assam Rifles said. 

"Col Viplav, through his remarkable endeavors, bonded closely with the locals of Mizoram. The anti-drug campaign conducted by his battalion in January 2021 received several laurels and the awareness was rightfully created by him in the entire state including the remote villages to ensure the youth are guided in the right direction," the statement said, adding his "goodwill for the society will last an eternity". (With inputs from agencies)