Photo Courtesy: nenow
Kohima: Security forces in Nagaland accelerated a manhunt Tuesday following a Monday bomb blast that killed an Assam Rifles soldier and injured five others. The improvised explosive device detonated near the Assam Rifles Training Centre and School in Shokhuvi, located in the Chümoukedima district. The attack struck a convoy of vehicles as personnel traveled toward Dimapur.
Havildar Mohd Iqbal, 42, died in the explosion. A native of Kallar Mohra village in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, Iqbal joined the force in April 2003 and leaves behind his wife, Nasim Akther. Four other Assam Rifles personnel sustained injuries, as did one civilian struck by debris. An autorickshaw was also destroyed.
State Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton, who oversees the home portfolio, pledged a full investigation. Agencies are hunting for the suspects. "I strongly condemn the IED bomb blast, we have our agencies on the job, and the matter is under investigation," Patton said Tuesday at the Dimapur Airport.
The Nagaland Police, Assam Rifles, Army, and various central agencies are jointly investigating. Forensic experts scoured the site Monday, while IGP (Range) Jasbir Singh and the Dimapur Commissioner of Police returned to the scene Tuesday to assess progress. Officials urged the public to ignore rumors and report any leads.
The NSCN-IM condemned the strike as a terrorist act and denied involvement, warning that such tactics endanger public safety. Meanwhile, a broad coalition of groups—including the Nagaland Baptist Church Council, Naga Hoho, and several local village councils—denounced the violence. The Chakhroma Public Organisation noted that outside elements might be attempting to disrupt regional peace. A wreath-laying ceremony for Havildar Iqbal is set for Tuesday at the Shokhuvi training facility.
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