PM Modi Condemns Manipur Terrorist Attack, Defence Minister Vows To Bring Perpetrators To Justice

Five soldiers, including the Commanding Officer of 46 Assam Rifles and his two family members, were killed in the attack on their convoy at Churachandpur in Manipur earlier in the day.

(File Photos/ Getty)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday condemned the attack on an Assam Rifles convoy in Manipur that claimed seven lives and said that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Five soldiers, including the Commanding Officer of 46 Assam Rifles and his two family members, were killed in the attack on their convoy at Churachandpur in Manipur earlier in the day.

"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," the Prime Minister tweeted.

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 reports, the Army convoy was targeted by suspected militants of the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), a militant group in Manipur demanding a separate homeland.

Family members of the officer along with Quick Reaction Team (QRT) were in the convoy when it was ambushed by terrorists. The driver of the Colonel's vehicle was also gunned down, taking the overall death toll to seven.

Other political leaders including Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the attack and said that perpetrators will be brought to justice soon.

"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," Singh tweeted.

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

Even Vice President Venkaiah Naidu expressed deep anguish over the martyrdom of five soldiers of the Assam Rifles, including a Commanding officer.

"Deeply anguished by the martyrdom of five brave soldiers of Assam Rifles, including a Commanding Officer and two of his family members in Manipur today. My condolences to the bereaved family members. Strongly condemn this heinous act of terrorism," Vice President Naidu said on Twitter.

Deeply anguished by the martyrdom of five brave soldiers of Assam Rifles, including a Commanding Officer & two of his family members in Manipur today. My condolences to the bereaved family members. Strongly condemn this heinous act of terrorism.

— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) November 13, 2021

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee too expressed anguish over the killing of five Assam Rifles personnel in Manipur and described the attack by militants as 'dastardly'.

"I strongly condemn the dastardly attack by militants on a convoy of 46 Assam Rifles in Manipur. It pains me to learn that we have lost five brave soldiers, including the CO & his family members," she tweeted.

I strongly condemn the dastardly attack by militants on a convoy of 46 Assam Rifles in Manipur. It pains me to learn that we have lost five brave soldiers, including the CO & his family members.

Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The entire nation awaits justice!

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 13, 2021

Colonel Viplav Tripathi, the Commanding Officer of Khuga Battalion of Assam Rifles, his wife and son, besides four personnel of the country's oldest paramilitary were killed on Saturday in a welter of IED blasts and burst of gunfire in Manipur's Churachandpur district