Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, DGAR, paying his last respects to the slain Assam Rifles soldier, Hav Mohammad Iqbal, who succumbed to a suspected IED blast near the Khovanalla bridge, in Chümoukedima, on July 14.
Condition of 4 wounded stable
Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 14
The Director General of Assam Rifles (DGAR), Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera, has termed the fatal July 13 blast in Chümoukedima a “senseless” act, describing the perpetrators as “enemies of Nagaland.”
Speaking to journalists at a wreath-laying ceremony, on July 14, at the Assam Rifles Training Centre and School (ARTC&S) in Shokhuvi, Lt Gen Lakhera urged the public to protect the state's stability. “I hope and pray to God that better sense prevails, and the hard-earned peace in Nagaland is not lost,” Lakhera said, adding that those responsible are acting “against humanity.” Asked about potential motives behind the suspected IED attack on the Assam Rifles, the DGAR declined to comment, stating it was too premature to draw conclusions.
The ceremony was attended by senior military officers, including Lt Gen V M Bhuvana Krishnan, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command; Lt Gen Girish Kalia, 3 Corps; Maj Gen Harinder Singh Mavi, IGAR (North); and Brig C S Pathania, Commandant, ARTC&S.
The attack, which occurred around 2:30 pm near the Khovanalla iron bridge, in Chümoukedima, killed one Assam Rifles soldier and injured four others. According to officials, a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) placed in a stationary autorickshaw detonated as a pickup truck transporting Assam Rifles personnel was proceeding toward National Highway 229.
The deceased soldier was identified as Havildar Mohammad Iqbal, a resident of Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir. Lt Gen Lakhera confirmed that Iqbal’s remains would be flown to Delhi before being transported by road to his native village in Poonch.
The conditions of the four injured personnel, who included an Assistant Commandant, were said to be stable.
