Imphal, July 8 (IANS) Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, and other dignitaries on Wednesday paid their last respects to the two Assam Rifles personnel who were killed in an ambush in Ukhrul district, even as massive search operations to track down the attackers entered the third day.

The two Assam Rifles personnel — Warrant Officer Balwant Singh and Havildar Chandra Mohan Singh — were killed after a suspected Naga armed group ambushed an Assam Rifles vehicle at Nungshang Kong along the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2) in the violence-hit Ukhrul district on Monday afternoon.

Governor Bhalla and Chief Minister Khemchand Singh laid wreaths on the mortal remains of the two soldiers at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal before their bodies were flown to their native places for the last rites.

The Chief Minister offered floral tributes and observed a moment of silence in honour of the two martyrs, acknowledging their dedicated service and supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

A ceremonial guard of honour was accorded to the slain personnel as senior officers of the Army, Assam Rifles and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) joined the state leadership in paying their final respects.

The wreath-laying ceremony was also attended by Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, several MLAs, senior civil and police officials, and high-ranking security officers, all of whom paid homage to the fallen soldiers.

Among those present were Security Advisor to the Manipur government Kuldiep Singh, 3 Corps Commander Lt Gen Girish Kalia, Inspector General of Assam Rifles, South, Maj Gen Gaurav Sharma, along with other senior officers of the Army and the Assam Rifles.

Meanwhile, massive joint operations by the Central and state security forces continued for the third consecutive day on Wednesday to track down the perpetrators behind the deadly ambush.

A senior police official said that coordinated search operations are being carried out across vulnerable areas of Ukhrul district and adjoining regions to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

The deadly ambush came just four days after security forces had destroyed two major militant bunkers at Thoyee village (Mahadev Top) and Jalenbung village under the Litan police station limits in the same district as part of sustained counter-insurgency operations aimed at dismantling militant infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM), the dominant Naga insurgent group, denied any involvement in the ambush on the Assam Rifles vehicle in Ukhrul, asserting that it remains committed to the ceasefire agreement signed with the Central government and to the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process.

In a statement, the NSCN-IM categorically said that it was “neither involved in nor had any knowledge of the said incident”. “The organisation remains firmly committed to the Ceasefire Agreement with the Government of India and continues to uphold its responsibilities under the agreed ground rules. The NSCN reiterates that it shall never resort to any action that could undermine, derail or sabotage the ongoing Indo-Naga political negotiations,” the statement said.

–IANS

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