Centre to seal Myanmar border, hunt down terrorists after 20 Army soldiers are killed in Manipur

New Delhi: In the deadliest terror attacks on the Indian Army in over two decades, 20 soldiers of 6 Dogra Regiment were killed and 11 others injured in an ambush in Manipur. Intelligence sources say the attackers came from Myanmar.

The government has taken a tough stand over the tragic loss with Home Minister Rajnath Singh chairing a high-level meeting that was attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikkar and Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag along with NSA Ajit Doval to take stock of the situation. The government has decided to seal the India-Myanmar border in Manipur and deploy more forces to intensify operations in the area.

The Centre has also directed all installations of the security forces in Manipur and Nagaland be put on high alert to foil any attempt by the terrorists to strike again.

Army and civilian authorities suspect the involvement of Manipur rebel outfit Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), a Meitei revolutionary organisation, who used landmines, rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons.

The NIA has also registered a case and will be scrutinising the route through which the terrorists procured such sophisticated weaponry. The possibility of the attack being a handiwork of more than one more organisation is not being ruled out.

The ambush was laid by an unidentified terrorist outfit under Tengnoupal Police Station in the district. Sources said terrorists used heavy firepower in the attack. The Army convoy was on a road opening patrol and was attacked with rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

After the army vehicle was damaged, the terrorists used automatic rifles to fire indiscriminately at the soldiers resulting in the heavy casaulty. Some terrorists have also been killed in the retaliatory fire by the soldiers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack as mindless and very distressing. "Today's mindless attack in Manipur is very distressing. I bow to each and every soldier who has sacrificed his life for the Nation," he tweeted.

Reacting to the incident, Defence Minister Parrikar has said that the Army will not be bogged down and will continue to strive towards bringing peace and normalcy in Manipur.

Kiren Rijiju, MOS for Home Affairs, called the incident unfortunate and reiterated the government's policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism.

Meanwhile, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi offered condolences to the families of 20 Armymen who were killed. "We stand with each of them in this hour of tragedy."

"Extremely sad to hear about the attack on the Army convoy in Manipur where several of our young Jawans lost their

lives."

"My deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs, we stand with each of them in this hour of tragedy."