IMPHAL, Feb 10 � One escort commander of 7 battalion Manipur Rifles was killed while two of his riflemen colleagues and two carpenters were injured when suspected militants attacked an engineer�s residence with a hand grenade here today.
Police said, the incident took place when some suspected militants exploded a hand grenade at the Singjamei Chongtham Leikai residence of Executive Engineer Chongtham Ranabir Singh of Irrigation and Flood Control Department under Imphal West district at around 4 pm.
The attackers also fired some rounds towards the security guards before they escaped from the scene, it added.
Though the engineer and his family members escaped unhurt as they were taking rest in the upper floor, three out of six security men who guard the engineer�s building sustained injuries along with two other carpenters.
But Havildar Kh Muhi(50) of Sugunu Bazar who was the escort commander succumbed to his injuries on his way to JNIMS hospital in Imphal. The other injured riflemen M Guno(36) of Kongba Khunou village, M Ingocha(45) of Tentha Khunou village ,carpenters Md Amusana(25) of Hapta and Sahjanha(22) of Thoubal Khekman village have been hospitalized for further treatment.
Engineer Ranabir said he has been facing threat to his life from militant organizations since he has not met their monetary demands. Today�s grenade attack was fourth of its kind at his residence.
Speaker of Manipur Assembly and local MLA I Hemochandra and IFCD minister N Biren also visited the engineer�s residence soon after the incident.
A case has been registered and investigation is on. None of the militant organizations operating here claimed responsibility for the incident till the filing of this report.
