Photo Courtesy: nenow
Kohima: A deadly blast struck an Assam Rifles convoy in Nagaland on Monday afternoon. The attack killed Havildar Mohammad Iqbal of the 28 Assam Rifles. The explosion occurred near the Assam Rifles Training Centre and School in Shokhuvi, Chumoukedima district, at approximately 2 p.m.
Iqbal, a native of Kallar Mohra village in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, joined the force in April 2003. He is survived by his wife, Nasim Akther. A wreath-laying ceremony for the fallen soldier was held Tuesday at the training center before his remains were flown home.
The explosion mangled a Mahindra pickup truck and a nearby autorickshaw. Authorities believe the device may have been remote-controlled and planted inside the parked auto. Five others were injured in the strike, including four Assam Rifles personnel and one civilian bystander who sustained shrapnel wounds. The wounded soldiers remain in stable condition at a medical facility.
Director General of Assam Rifles Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera, AVSM, SM, and all ranks of the force honored the fallen soldier. The force stated, "Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, AVSM, SM, Director General Assam Rifles & All Ranks of Assam Rifles pay solemn tribute to Hav Mohd Iqbal who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in Nagaland today and offer deep condolences to the family of our brave soldier. DG Assam Rifles & All Ranks of Assam Rifles stand firmly with the bereaved family."
This marks the second strike against the Assam Rifles in the region in eight days. Suspected militants ambushed a convoy in Manipur's Ukhrul district on July 6, killing two soldiers. Joint teams from the Nagaland Police, Army, Assam Rifles, National Investigation Agency, and forensic units are currently conducting wide-scale combing operations to find the culprits.
No group has claimed responsibility. The NSCN-IM issued a statement distancing itself from the attack, labeling it a cowardly terrorist act. Meanwhile, a broad coalition of leaders—including Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy Chief Ministers T.R. Zeliang and Y. Patton, along with the NPCC, BJP Nagaland, and CNTC—denounced the violence. They pledged to bring those responsible to justice.
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