Colonel & His Family Among 7 Killed In Deadly Ambush In Manipur

Imphal: Colonel Viplav Tripathi, Commanding Officer of 46 Assam Rifles, was killed on Saturday in an ambush in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, near the Myanmar border.

Along with the commanding officer of Assam Rifles, his wife, eight-year-old son and four soldiers were also killed in one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the region in recent times, reported NDTV.

Col Tripathi, who had gone to a forward camp on Saturday, was on way back when his convoy was ambushed.

“Five soldiers including Colonel Viplav Tripathi, Commanding Officer of 46 Assam Rifles, have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. The family of the Commanding Officer – wife and child – also lost their lives. DG and all ranks of Assam Rifles offer condolences to the brave soldiers and families,” Assam Rifles said in a statement.

No group or individual has claimed responsibility yet, but it’s believed that People’s Liberation Army, a Manipur-based terrorist group, is behind the attack.

According to sources in Manipur Police, there was an improvised explosive device (IED) blast before heavy firing from both sides of the road.

“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,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.