IMPHAL, June 6 � Floral tributes were paid to the Dogra Regiment jawans, who were killed in the deadliest ambush of June 4 which left 18 soldiers dead near Moltuk village, about 110 km from the State capital, at the Imphal International airport this morning.
Manipur Governor Dr Syed Ahmed, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, DGP Saheed Ahmed, 3 Corps GOC Lt Gen Bipin Rawat, GOC 57th Mountain Division Major General PN Rao and IG Assam Rifles (South) and other officials attended the ceremony.
Later, the bodies of 17 personnel were flown to their respective native places by a special aircraft of the Indian Army. Body of driver sepoy JK Kushwaha from Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh had already been sent by air to his native place on Friday.
Terming the incident very unfortunate, O Ibobi said, Thursday�s ambush is a lesson for the intelligence agencies.
�Now, we�ll have to fight jointly besides carefully monitoring the borders,� he said, adding that Army and paramilitary forces are here to maintain law and order. The State Government will extend all possible help to the paramilitary forces in curbing the anti-social activities, he added.
Lt Gen Rawat, who is overall commander of the army in the region, said that the flush out operation which is underway in Chandel district will be a �people friendly� operation. �We are here to ensure peace. The operation will continue so that the perpetrators are booked. Our aim is also to identify those who extend support in carrying out such activities,� he said.
Three rebels groups � NSCN (K), Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup and Kangleipak Communist Party have claimed responsibility for the Thursday�s ambush.
