Assam Rifles jawan Havildar Mohd Iqbal was killed and four others from the paramilitary force were injured in a bomb blast in the Chumoukedima district of Nagaland on Monday (July 13, 2026) afternoon.

The condition of one of the injured personnel was critical, officials said.

A Defence spokesperson in Nagaland’s capital, Kohima, said a suspected improvised explosive device caused the blast near Sukhovi. The victims were reportedly returning in a convoy of vehicles to Dimapur, the State’s commercial hub, when the explosion occurred. “An operation is in progress,” he said, without elaborating. 

Chomoukedima’s Deputy Commissioner of Police Nikho Venuh confirmed the incident. “A bomb disposal squad went to the site of the incident to ascertain the nature of the blast,” he said. 

In a social media video, local persons were seen evacuating some of the injured persons in private vehicles.

The officials did not rule out the possibility of a targeted attack on the paramilitary force. Last week, suspected extremists ambushed an Assam Rifles patrol in the Ukhrul district of Manipur, killing two personnel.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said, “The bomb blast at Chümoukedima is a cowardly act that has no place in our society. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone 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”.