Imphal: Floral tributes were paid to the brave jawans of Assam Rifles who made their supreme sacrifices serving the nation in Imphal. Senior officials of the state government, the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and Manipur Police gathered in solemn silence to pay their last respects to two brave jawans of the 40th Battalion of the Assam Rifles — who gave their lives in the line of duty in one of Manipur’s Ukhrul district.
Warrant Officer Balwant Singh and Havildar Chandra Mohan Singh were martyred on July 6 when their convoy came under a deadly ambush by unidentified armed assailants in Ukhrul district.
On the afternoon of July 6 around 1:40 pm, when the convoy of the 40th Battalion of the Assam Rifles was making its way back to its base at Shangshak they came under heavy firing by terrorists at Nungshangkhong area of Ukhrul district. Two soldiers sustained fatal injuries while several others were also injured.
A joint search operation was launched almost immediately after the attack, involving personnel from the Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, CRPF, and the Indian Army, drawn from both Ukhrul and Shangshak. Despite extensive combing of the area, no arrests have been made so far. Security forces have since intensified their operations in the region as the investigation continues.
The wreath-laying ceremony on Wednesday brought together the highest ranks of the state’s civil, police, and military establishment — a reflection of the weight of the loss and the respect owed to the fallen.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh attended the ceremony along with Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Director General of Police Rajiv Singh, Additional Director General of Police L. Dorjee, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) Major General Gaurav Sharma, Inspector General of Police CRPF Rajendra Narayan Dash, and several other senior officials. Each of them stepped forward to lay wreaths and offer floral tributes to the two soldiers.
Speaking after the ceremony, Chief Minister Yumnam said,”Paid floral tributes to the two brave jawans of the 40 Assam Rifles who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty during the incident at Nungshangkhong, Ukhrul district, on July 6. Homage was paid at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in the presence of senior civil and military officials. Their courage and sacrifice will forever inspire our resolve to uphold peace, security, and the unity of the nation. Salute to our gallant heroes.”
The Indian Army’s Eastern Command also issued a statement expressing its condolences. A statement released in behalf of Lieutenant General VMB Krishnan, Army Commander of the Eastern Command reads, “Lt Gen VMB Krishnan, Army Commander Eastern Command & All Ranks express deepest condolences on the demise of Warrant Officer Balwant Singh and Hav Chandra Mohan Singh, who gallantly made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in Manipur. The Indian Army stands firmly with the bereaved families.”
Sources in the Manipur police said that security forces are launching a massive manhunt in Ukhrul district in search of the terrorists involved in the ambush on the Assam Rifles convoy.
