Assam Rifles intensifies hunt for perpetrators after deadly Nagaland IED attack that killed a JCO; NSCN-IM condemns blast, distances itself
Assam Rifles director general Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera laying wreath on the fallen soldier Havildar Mohammed Iqbal. (Photo: Assam Rifles)
New Delhi: Security forces have intensified counterinsurgency operations in Nagaland following the deadly improvised explosive device (IED) attack that killed an Assam Rifles soldier and injured four others near Sukhovi. In a noteworthy development, the primary insurgent group operating in Nagaland and Manipur, National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) publicly condemned the explosion, described it as a “cowardly terrorist act”, and denied any involvement.
The search operation, launched immediately after Monday’s attack in Chumoukedima district, has been expanded with the induction of additional columns of the Assam Rifles and the Nagaland Police to trace those responsible for planting the suspected roadside IED. Defence officials said the four injured Assam Rifles personnel are in stable condition and continue to receive medical treatment.
The soldier killed in the blast has been identified as Havildar Mohammed Iqbal of the Assam Rifles. A wreath-laying ceremony is scheduled to be held on Tuesday afternoon at the Assam Rifles Training Centre and School (ARTC&S), Sukhovi. The ceremony is expected to be attended by the general officer commanding, Spear Corps, and the director general of the Assam Rifles, among other senior military officials.
The blast occurred on Monday, when an Assam Rifles vehicle was moving near Sukhovi, a strategically important area close to the Assam-Nagaland border that houses one of the force’s principal training establishments. Initial assessments indicate that a suspected roadside IED exploded as the vehicle passed, killing Havildar Iqbal instantly and wounding four of his colleagues.
Security personnel quickly cordoned off the area and launched a multi-agency operation. Investigators are examining the blast site for forensic evidence while intelligence agencies attempt to establish the identity of the perpetrators and whether the attack was carried out by an insurgent faction operating in the region.
NSCN/GPRN (IM) condemns attack
In a significant political development, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim/Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim (NSCN/GPRN-IM) issued a statement on July 14, 2026, condemning the attack and distancing itself from the incident. Calling it a “cowardly terrorist act”, the organization said the planting and detonation of an IED that killed one Indian soldier and injured four others served no legitimate purpose other than spreading fear and undermining peace in the region.
The organization further stated that the use of explosive devices and anti-personnel mines was contrary to humanitarian principles and reaffirmed its commitment to obligations under the Geneva Call Deed of Commitment prohibiting anti-personnel mines.
Reiterating that it remains bound by the India-Naga ceasefire agreement, the NSCN/GPRN (IM) said it would continue to honour both the letter and spirit of the Ceasefire Ground Rules while working to preserve peace and stability.
In an unusually strong assertion, the group said it would make “every effort, through all available and appropriate means”, to establish the truth behind the incident and identify those responsible, adding that those seeking to destabilize society through violence “must be exposed and held accountable”.
The statement also appealed to the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and cooperate in establishing the facts, describing the attack as one aimed at derailing the fragile peace process in Nagaland.
While the statement distances the NSCN/GPRN (IM) from the attack, security agencies have not attributed responsibility to any organization so far. Investigations remain underway.
Security concerns persist
Although insurgency-related violence in Nagaland has declined substantially over the past decade following ceasefire arrangements and ongoing political negotiations with several Naga groups, security agencies continue to warn that splinter factions, criminal networks and armed elements retain the capability to carry out targeted attacks using IEDs and ambushes.
The Sukhovi blast has once again highlighted the continuing security challenges in the northeast despite the overall improvement in the situation. The expanded operation involving the Assam Rifles and the Nagaland Police is expected to continue until those behind the attack are identified and apprehended.
