Security forces on high alert after the ambush in Imphal East district on Saturday. (PTI)

Imphal, Sept. 12: Four India Reserve Battalion personnel were killed and four wounded in an ambush on a hilly road in Manipur’s Imphal East district this morning.

Fourteen jawans of the A and B companies of the 6th IRB, deployed at Maphou dam on the tri-junction of Imphal East, Thoubal and Ukhrul districts, were moving in a Gypsy and a bullet-proof truck when they came under heavy fire from militants sitting atop Ngakha hill.

The attack came as the vehicles were negotiating a corner, 10km from the dam site, around 10.30am. The militants used rocket launchers, lethod guns and other sophisticated weapons to target the vehicles.

Rifleman Yumnam Sanayaima, who survived the attack, said, “About 100 militants occupying the upper portion of the hills fired at us. We retaliated and the exchange of fire continued for an hour. But we were far outnumbered.”

He said the militants first fired two rocket launchers. The first one exploded after hitting the rear portion of the truck, which was following the Gypsy. The second rocket failed to explode.

“I suddenly heard a loud explosion and our bullet-proof vehicle shook. Realising we were under attack, some of us tried to come out of the vehicle from the front portion but were injured in the militant firing,” he added.

Sanayaima is undergoing treatment at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences here along with the three other riflemen — Khuraijam Gandhi, Yengkhom Surchandra and Gaingamlung Rongmei. The doctors said they were out of danger.

The deceased have been identified as riflemen Khangembam Nanda, Amuchou Singh, Vicky Singh and Ashing.

The police said the personnel were bringing a sick jawan here for treatment when they were ambushed.

The survivors said they retaliated till the ammunition was exhausted. The militants snatched an Insas rifle, an AK-47 rifle and a self-loading rifle before retreating into the hills.

The police suspect the Peoples Liberation Army’s was behind the ambush. The police and the BSF, have launched a search operation at the site.