Imphal: A constable of the Border Security Force (BSF) succumbed to injuries after being hit by a bullet during a patrol in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Friday, officials said.
The deceased has been identified as Constable Mithun Mandal, son of Mantu Mandal, a resident of Bhagjan Tola village in West Bengal. He was serving with the 170 Battalion, A Company of the BSF.
According to official sources, the incident occurred at around 4:30 pm when the jawan was on a routine duty at Mongkot Chepu Kuki village. He was struck by a bullet shot from a rival buffer zone which hit his left shoulder.
He was immediately rushed to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal for treatment. However, despite efforts by medical personnel, he succumbed to his injuries at around 6:00 pm. His body has been kept at the RIMS mortuary.
Meanwhile, tension continues to prevail in nearby Tangkhul villages, particularly Sikiphung and Sharkaphung, where residents have reported being unable to step out of their homes due to ongoing firing in the area. The BSF have reportedly launched a combing operation in those areas to nab the culprits. However, till filing this report, there are no untoward accidents in those villages.
Earlier in the evening, Kuki civil society organisations (CSOs) had issued a press statement condemning what they described as an attack by “Tangkhul” miscreants, alleging that the BSF jawan was injured in firing from militant positions.
