Mail News Service
Imphal, Oct 13 : A powerful remote control IED planted over Ushoipokpi Bridge along National Highway 39 under Lilong Police Station in Thoubal district of Manipur was retrieved by a bomb squad of Manipur police in the early hours of Saturday.
The bomb weighing around a half kilogram was spotted by a foot patrol team of 28 Assam Rifles around 5:30 am. Later, the bomb was safely defused somewhere in Chaobok hillock in Lilong.
Local residents of the area protesting and condemning the incident sat a dharna by blocking the NH-39 section for some time.
Meanwhile, another IED was recovered by Manipur police at Top Khongnangkhong under Imphal East Police Station around 8:30 am today. A bomb squad later defused the bomb in a field at Naharup, police sources said.
The troops of 28 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of AR(S), assisted by civilians, police and Manipur Police BD team diffused a powerful IED at 0900 hrs on NH 102 in Ushoipokpi. Early in the morning a local resident of Ushoipokpi, whose identity is not being disclosed, informed the road opening party of Lilong post about a suspicious object placed near the bridge. On receipt of this information, the Company Commander Lilong post, along with his road opening party who were sanitizing the road nearby, rushed to the spot and identified the IED. It was placed on the ground along with freshly dug mud and vegetation around it. The presence of explosive was confirmed by the Assam Rifles dog. Immediately the area was cordoned off, traffic was halted and police BD team was informed.
After analysis of the IED it was found that the IED was housed in an aluminum container having 2.5 kg of RDX, had a nickel cadmium 9 volt battery as power source and a sophisticated remote activation circuit with antenna.
The IED was powerful enough to carry out of major damage to vehicles plying on the road, civilians and SF in the area. The IED was planted in close vicinity to a residential area. A local youth club, civil population of Ushoipokpi and Lilong condemned the placing of IED and organised a protest, raised slogan against such IEDs as it was causing harassment to the locals preventing them moving around freely for their essential work during that time.
They also appealed to the environment and raised voice against the UGs that such acts should not be repeated especially in view of forthcoming festive season and late night public gathering. On receipt of information Commander 9 Sect AR along with Commandant 28 AR rushed to the spot and took stock of the situation. They also thanked the local population whose assistance averted a major disaster on NH 102.
Assam Rifles thanked the support of Lilong, Thoubal Police and Manipur Police BD team for their assistance in diffusing IED thereby averting a major disaster. The nefarious designs of UGs to disturb peace and tranquility in the region will be thwarted by ever alert SF and cautioned the UGs to refrain from such act of cowardice.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/bomb-found-at-ushoipokpi/
