Proscribed insurgent groups, PLA and Manipur Naga People’s Front (MNPF), active in northeast India, have jointly claimed responsibility for the attack on the convoy of Assams Rifles in Manipur’s Churachandpur district along Indo-Myanmar border on Saturday. 

The joint statement was issued by the deputy publicity secretary of the Revolutionary People’s Front (PLA’s political wing), Roben Khuman and MNPF secretary publicity, Thomas Numai. 

Col Viplav Tripathi and his wife and 8-year-old son and four other soldiers were martyred in the cowardly attack.

In a joint release, the outfits claimed that six personnel of Assam Rifles, including 46 AR Commanding Officer, Colonel Viplav Tripathi, were killed in the attack, while many were injured. 

Condemning the dastardly act on the Assam Rifles, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that their sacrifice will never be forgotten, hinting that the attackers will be dealt with an iron hand.

The soldiers martyred in the attack have been identified as – Col Viplav Tripathi, Rfn Suman Swargiary, Rfn Khatnei Konyak,  Rfn RP Meena, Rfn Shyamal Das.

Col Tripathi hailed from Raigarh in Chattisgarh, according to sources.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the attack and gave his condolences. “The cowardly attack on an Assam Rifles convoy in Churachandpur, Manipur is extremely painful and 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,” Singh tweeted.

Reacting to the incident, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh tweeted that the State forces & Para military are already on their job to track down the militants and the perpetrators will be brought to justice.