Nagaland IED Blast: NSCN-IM Promises To Identify Those Behind Assam Rifles Jawan's Killing

The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), or NSCN-IM, has condemned the recent improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Nagaland that killed an Assam Rifles soldier and injured four others, vowing to identify those responsible for the attack. The outfit said the incident was aimed at disrupting peace and stability in the region and pledged to make every effort to trace the perpetrators. The IED explosion claimed the life of Havildar Mohammad Iqbal of the Assam Rifles, while four other personnel of the paramilitary force sustained injuries. The injured soldiers are undergoing treatment at a hospital, officials said.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the NSCN-IM described the attack as a reprehensible act of violence that served no legitimate purpose other than to spread fear, create chaos and undermine the peaceful atmosphere that people in the region have sought to preserve. “This reprehensible act is an attack not only on the immediate victims but also on the fragile peace and stability in the region. At a time when the people aspire to live secure and normal, those responsible for the incident have chosen the path of terror and provocation,” the organisation said.

The outfit further stated that such acts were intended to sow mistrust, fuel instability and derail ongoing efforts to maintain peace in Nagaland. It added that it would make every effort to identify those involved in carrying out the blast. According to the NSCN-IM, the use of activated explosive devices and anti-personnel mines is contrary to humanitarian principles. The organisation, which entered into a ceasefire agreement with the Centre in 1997, reiterated its opposition to indiscriminate violence and stressed that such methods have no place in the pursuit of political objectives.

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The attack has raised fresh concerns over security in Nagaland, where the ceasefire between the NSCN-IM and the Government of India has largely held for more than two decades despite periodic incidents of violence. Security forces have launched an investigation into the blast and are working to identify those responsible. The death of Havildar Mohammad Iqbal has drawn condolences from various quarters, while the injured personnel continue to receive medical care. Authorities have intensified security measures in the area and are conducting searches as part of the investigation.

The NSCN-IM's condemnation of the blast comes at a time when efforts to advance the long-pending Naga peace process continue. While negotiations between the Centre and Naga groups have witnessed several rounds of dialogue over the years, a final settlement remains elusive. The latest incident underscores the fragile security situation in parts of Nagaland even as stakeholders continue to emphasise the importance of maintaining peace. Investigators are expected to examine forensic evidence and intelligence inputs to determine the group or individuals behind the IED attack that claimed the life of the Assam Rifles jawan.

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