2 AR jawans killed, 2 injured by own troops

Imphal, Oct 9 (UNI) Two jawans of 21 Assam Rifles were killed and two others injured by their own troops today at Umathel, Kakching Khunou, Thoubal district.

The Assam Rifles PRO said seven columns of Assam Rifles jawans were engaged in an operation at Kakching Khunou and Umathel where the incident occurred.

All the seven columns were moving out in different directions when by mistake two columns resorted to firing at each other. Two jawans were killed and two others injured. The PRO confirmed that it was a case of mistaken identity.

The two injured jawans have been taken to Leimakhong military hospital, where they have been reoprted as being out of danger, the PRO said.

Earlier on the night of September 30, a jawan of 21 Assam Rifles also died in an encounter with cadres of People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK).

After that incident, troops of 21 Assam Rifles had called out villagers from nearby villages and allegedly beat them up and about 52 civilians were still recovering in a local hospital.

UNI