NSCN/GPRN condemns the Shukhovi IED blast that killed an Assam Rifles havildar and injured four others, reaffirming commitment to the Indo-Naga ceasefire.
Hebron, July 14: The NSCN/GPRN has strongly condemned the improvised explosive device (IED) blast near Shukhovi in Nagaland's Chümoukedima district that killed an Assam Rifles havildar and injured four other personnel, describing the attack as a "cowardly terrorist act" that threatens the fragile peace and stability of the region.
In a statement issued from Hebron on Tuesday, the organisation maintained that indiscriminate acts of violence serve no legitimate purpose other than spreading fear, creating chaos and undermining the peaceful environment that people across the region have long sought to preserve.
The statement comes a day after a powerful explosion targeted an Assam Rifles vehicle near Khopanala, close to the Assam Rifles Training Centre and School (ARTC&S) at Shukhovi. The blast occurred at around 2 pm while security personnel were moving between different sections of the training establishment.
Havildar Mohd Iqbal, a resident of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir, succumbed to his injuries in the attack. Four other Assam Rifles personnel sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment. A civilian in the vicinity also suffered a leg injury after being struck by flying debris from the explosion.
TRIBUTE TO OUR BRAVEHEART
— The Assam Rifles (@official_dgar) July 13, 2026
Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, AVSM, SM, Director General Assam Rifles & All Ranks of Assam Rifles pay solemn tribute to Hav Mohd Iqbal who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in Nagaland today and offer deep condolences to the family of our Brave… pic.twitter.com/YAyIMYpNjo
Preliminary investigations suggest that the IED may have been concealed inside an abandoned auto-rickshaw parked along the roadside before being detonated as the Assam Rifles vehicle passed. Security agencies have not officially confirmed the exact triggering mechanism, and no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The NSCN/GPRN stated that the use of activated explosive devices and anti-personnel mines is contrary to humanitarian principles and places innocent lives at unacceptable risk. It pointed out that the organisation is a signatory to the Geneva Call Deed of Commitment banning anti-personnel mines and reaffirmed that it remains committed to upholding the obligations arising from that international humanitarian commitment.
The organisation also reiterated that it continues to remain under the Indo-Naga Ceasefire Agreement and would honour both the letter and spirit of the ceasefire ground rules.
"It remains committed to maintaining peace, exercising restraint and ensuring that its conduct is consistent with the obligations undertaken under the ceasefire arrangement," the statement noted.
Describing the explosion as an attack not only on the immediate victims but also on the fragile peace prevailing in the region, the NSCN/GPRN asserted that those responsible had deliberately chosen "the path of terror and provocation" at a time when people aspire to live in security and normalcy.
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According to the organisation, such attacks are intended to sow mistrust, fuel instability and derail efforts aimed at sustaining peace in Nagaland and the wider region.
The NSCN/GPRN further announced that it would make every effort through all available and appropriate means to establish the truth behind the incident and identify those responsible.
It maintained that individuals or groups attempting to exploit violence to destabilise society must be exposed and held accountable.
Appealing for restraint, the organisation urged all concerned to remain calm, avoid speculation and cooperate with authorities in establishing the facts surrounding the incident.
"The pursuit of truth and justice is essential to preventing those responsible from achieving their objective of disrupting peace," the statement added.
Following the attack, Assam Rifles, assisted by the Nagaland Police and other security agencies, launched an extensive search and area domination operation around the Shukhovi-Khopanala sector.
Security personnel have cordoned off surrounding areas and are conducting intensive combing operations to trace those involved in planting the explosive device. Bomb disposal squads and forensic experts have also been deployed to examine the blast site and determine the nature and composition of the explosive used.
Authorities are simultaneously searching for any additional explosive devices that may have been planted in the vicinity as a precautionary measure.
On Tuesday, Director General Assam Rifles Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera led a wreath-laying ceremony at the Assam Rifles Training Centre and School in Shukhovi to honour Havildar Mohd Iqbal, who was killed in the explosion.
Senior military officers, personnel and officials paid their respects to the fallen soldier before his mortal remains were sent to his native place in Jammu and Kashmir for the last rites.
During the ceremony, the Director General described those behind the attack as "enemies of Nagaland," stressing that such acts of violence were intended to disturb the peace that the state has witnessed in recent years. He appealed to citizens to remain united and support security agencies in maintaining peace and stability.
The bomb blast at Chümoukedima is a cowardly act that has no place in our society. My thoughts and prayers are with eveyone affected. Those responsible will be identified and brought to justice. We will not allow such acts to threaten the peace and security of our people.
— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) July 13, 2026
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio also condemned the explosion, describing it as a cowardly act of violence.
Expressing condolences to the bereaved family of Havildar Mohd Iqbal, Rio wished a speedy recovery to the injured personnel and assured that the perpetrators would be brought to justice. He also appealed to citizens to cooperate with security agencies during the ongoing investigation.
The Shukhovi explosion marks one of the most serious militant attacks in Nagaland in recent years and has prompted heightened security measures across the district as investigators continue efforts to identify those responsible.
