Imphal: The People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the Manipur Naga People's Front (MNPF) has taken the responsibility of the attack on Assam Rifles in which a commanding officer of the Assam Rifles, including his wife and son, besides four personnel were killed in Manipur's Churachandpur district.
In a joint statement, the two groups said that they carried out attack to protect the people as they were revolting against the attempts to suppress the rights their people in their own land and the people.
The militant outfits also claimed that they were not aware of the presence of the Assam Rifles officer's wife and son in the convoy.
''We are not going to sit silently till we get our rights and our sovereignty,'' the militant outfits added.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the attack and said the perpetrators will be brought to justice soon.
"The cowardly attack on an Assam Rifles convoy in Churachandpur, Manipur is extremely painful & condemnable. The nation has lost 5 brave soldiers including CO 46 AR and two family members. My condolences to the bereaved families. The perpetrators will be brought to justice soon," Rajnath Singh tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra too took to the twitter and said that the sacrifices of the soldiers and their families will never be forgotten.
"I pay homage to those soldiers and family members who have been martyred today. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness," he tweeted.
On September 25th, 1978, the PLA was formed by N Bisheshwar Singh in a bid to liberate Manipur and demand separation from India.
The PLA is an umbrella organisation of 3 separatist organisations of Manipur.
Also watch: