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1st LD Writethru: 20 soldiers killed by militants in NE India

Xinhua, June 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

At least 20 Indian Army personnel were killed and over 11 others injured in a militant ambush in the northeastern state of Manipur Thursday, a police official said.

"The incident happened in the state's Chandel district, bordering Myanmar, when the armymen were passing through a village in a convoy of four vehicles. A group of armed militants first fired rocket-propelled grenades and then opened fire indiscriminately at the army personnel, killing 20 on the spot," he said, on condition of anonymity.

Those killed were charred to death in grenade explosion while those who sustained bullet injuries have been admitted to a hospital, the official said.

The attack is suspected to be the handiwork of a Manipur-based rebel outfit, he said.

Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar has condemned the attack and vowed to bring the attackers to justice.

This is said to be the worst casualties the Indian Army has suffered since the Kargil War in 1998 with Pakistan over the disputed territory of Kashmir. Endi