Mortar shell blast injures 3 minor boys in Manipur village

Imphal: Three minor boys, including two siblings, suffered injuries in a mortar shell blast at Molnoi village in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district on Saturday afternoon.According to official sources, the incident occurred around 12.50pm when the children were playing in a village courtyard.

The minors reportedly were unaware of the explosive object, which detonated during their play.Officials said security personnel recovered the tail section of a 2-inch mortar from the blast site.“The source of the explosive and how it came to be in the village are yet to be ascertained. An FIR has been registered, and an investigation is underway,” an official said.Two of the injured children are eight years old while the other is aged 10.Following the incident, they were taken to the primary health centre at Komlathabi and later referred to the 26 Sector Assam Rifles Hospital at Pallel.Subsequently, they were shifted to a hospital in Imphal for advanced treatment. Their conditions are said to be critical.