BSF soldier killed in CCPur ambush

IMPHAL, February 8: A Border Security Force jawan was killed while another seriously injured when suspected underground activists ambushed a road opening foot patrol at Kumbi Pukhri Mapal in Churachandpur district this morning. According to official sources, the incident occurred when a column of 32nd BSF posted at Churachandpur was conducting their routine ROP this morning around 7 am. The well-armed ultras waylaid the patrol and fired from various directions, taking over in the nearby drains and thick bushes, when the convoy was nearing Kumbi Pukhri. The BSF jawans returned the fire and the exchange of fire lasted for about five minutes. The ultras later retreated into the nearby jungle. The deceased BSF havildar has been identified as Gobi Nappa 32 of Karnataka and the injured has been identified as constable P Bobo Singh of Kakching. Later reinforcements were sent in and a massive search operation conducted in the area. There is however no report of any arrest during the manhunt. Meanwhile, a brief encounter took place between a commando team of the Thoubal district police and underground activists at Nongpok Sekmai area today during a flush-out operation conducted by the former. According to official reports, the Thoubal district commando team was fired upon during the operation at Phouoibi village. The commando team returned the fire and a brief encounter ensued. The underground activists however managed to escape under the cover of the thick jungle in the nearby hillock, the report said. A search operation was conducted after the incident and arms and ammunition along with incriminating documents belonging to the People's Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Revolutionary People's Front, were recovered. Meanwhile at other places, security forces today arrested eight underground activists belonging to various underground organisations from different places in the State.