IMPHAL, July 30 - Three Assam Rifles personnel were killed and five others injured in an ambush in Manipur�s Chandel district near the Indo-Myanmar border, sources said on Thursday. A patrol party of Assam Rifles was ambushed by suspected militants by triggering an IED explosion followed by firing at Khongtal area under Chakpikarong police station around 6.30pm on Wednesday.
The three Assam Rifles personnel who were killed in the ambush have been identified as Havildar Pranay Kalita, Rifleman Methna Konyak and Rifleman Ratan Sapam, according to the sources.
Their bodies have been sent to a mortuary for necessary formalities while the injured personnel have been taken to a military hospital, the sources said.
Meanwhile, Manipur Naga People�s Front (MNPF), Revolutionary People�s Front (RPF) and United Liberation Front of Asom � Independent (ULFA-I) have claimed responsibility for the ambush as a �joint military offensive.�
PTI report adds: Condoling the killing of three Assam Rifles personnel in an ambush by suspected militants in Manipur, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday said that militancy does not solve any problem, but complicates matters further.
Out of the three slain jawans, one hailed from Barpeta district, a release issued by the Chief Minister�s Office said.
�It is really shocking to know the loss of the life of a brave jawan of our State who became an innocent victim of the dastardly attack of the militants. Militancy is not a solution to any problem rather it complicates the situation,� Sonowal said.
�This is a testing time for the family of slain jawan Pranay Kalita, as I express my heartfelt empathy with the bereaved family members and pray to God for eternal peace of the departed soul,� Sonowal added.
