New Delhi: An Assam Rifles personnel Mohammad Iqbal was killed and five others, including a civilian, were injured in what is being reported as an improvised explosive device (IED) blast near the Assam Rifles Training Centre and School, Shokhuvi, in Nagaland’s Chümoukedima district on Monday (July 13).According to the preliminary reports, the incident took place around 2 pm when an Assam Rifles convoy was travelling towards Dimapur. Initial investigation suggests the attack may have been triggered by a remote-controlled explosive device planted inside an autorickshaw which was parked alongside the road, reported Nagaland Post.One personnel succumbed to their injuries, while others were rushed to the hospital for treatment. After the explosion, officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Assam Rifles, Nagaland Police, Bomb Disposal Squad and forensic experts were deployed to the site and the area was cordoned off. As per the Nagaland Post, large-scale coordinated combing operations have been launched in the surrounding areas. No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the blast so far.Retired army officer Digvijay Singh Rawat has claimed on X that the attack was carried out by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) (NSCN-IM), a prominent Naga political and armed group seeking the unification of Naga-inhabited areas, alleging that the organisation has been collaborating with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in attacks on security forces.“Second IED blast within a week by NSCN(IM) over Assam Rifles convoy at Chumoukedima, Nagaland. ULFA & NSCN have been working together in many ambushes in past over security forces,” he said.However, NSCN-IM, or the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagaland, distanced itself from the Shukhovi attack and reasserted its commitment to the Indo-Naga ceasefire ground rules in a press statement on Tuesday (July 14). “The NSCN/GPRN will make every effort, through all available and appropriate means, to ascertain the truth behind this incident and identify those responsible. Those who seek to exploit violence to destabilise society must be exposed and held accountable,” it said.“Cowardly terrorist attack”: NSCN/GPRN (IM) condemns the Shukhovi IED blast (13 July) in Nagaland, distancing itself from the incident and reaffirming commitment to Ceasefire Ground Rules.“The NSCN/GPRN will make every effort, through all available and appropriate means, to… pic.twitter.com/VxQXXqxQIF— Karishma Hasnat (@karishmahasnat) July 14, 2026CM, governor and deputy CMs promise justiceNagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, describing the act as a “cowardly act” expressed solidarity with those affected. He also assured the public that the responsible perpetrators will be identified and brought to justice.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, 2026Nand Kishore Yadav, governor of Nagaland, in a condolence message shared by Lok Bhawan, Nagaland, on X, strongly condemned the act and conveyed sympathies to the victim’s family. He also wished the injured a speedy recovery and reaffirmed his support for the Assam Rifles and other security forces.“The Hon’ble Governor strongly condemned the heinous act of violence and expressed confidence that the concerned authorities would carry out a thorough investigation to bring those responsible to justice. He reaffirmed his solidarity with the Assam Rifles and all security forces in their unwavering commitment to maintaining peace, security and stability in the state,” the statement read.The state’s deputy chief ministers T.R. Zeliang and Yanthungo Patton also took to social media to condemn the attack. Zeliang, referring to the blast as an attempt to “spread fear, create panic and destabilise the state,” urged law enforcement agencies to take swift action and expressed condolences to the bereaved family. I strongly condemn the bomb blast incident at Khopanala, Chumoukedima District. Such acts of violence are alien and unheard of in Nagaland and have no place in our peaceful society. Attempts to spread fear, create panic, and destabilize the State must be condemned in the…— TR Zeliang (@TRZeliang) July 13, 2026Patton, in a post on X, said the incident is “a direct attack on the peace and security” of the region and those accused will “face the full force of the law.” “We will not allow such acts of intimidation to undermine the safety, peace, and stability of the state. Justice will prevail,” he added.The cowardly bomb blast in Chümoukedima today is a direct attack on the peace and security we cherish. My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this senseless act of violence.Those responsible will be identified and brought to justice. They will face the full…— Yanthungo Patton (@YanthungoPatton) July 13, 2026Political parties and organisations condemn the attackThe Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) issued a statement sharply criticising the IED blast in Chümoukedima. Calling the attack a “dastardly act that has no place in society,” the organisation appealed to the authorities “to leave no stone unturned” in apprehending the perpetrators. “It must be remembered that, with the Ceasefire Agreement in place in Nagaland, all armed factions have honoured its provisions in letter and spirit. Therefore, the possibility of the involvement of outside elements seeking to disrupt the peace and stability of our land cannot be ruled out,” the statement said. It added that the organisation was willing to extend “all possible assistance and cooperation” to authorities so that justice is ensured and such incidents do not recur.The Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) also issued a statement condemning the attack through its information and publicity secretary Vikato I. Chishi. Denouncing all formed of “terrorism and anti-national activities targeting security forces or innocent civilians,” the council encouraged civil society organisations and other actors to “maintain calm in the face of such provocations,” reported Nagaland Post.In a press release, Nagaland Peace Centre (NPC) chairman Pedi Miachieo claimed the explosion was “a premeditated attack targeting the Assam Rifles personnel,” according to Nagaland Post. Stating that any violent act threatening the peace of the region will not be tolerated, NPC further observed that the incident came at a time when “Nagas had been patiently waiting for a peaceful resolution to the Naga political issue.”Lastly, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Nagaland State Unit, in a statement circulated through its national secretary S. Richard Humtsoe, expressed heartfelt condolences to the deceased’s family. According to Nagaland Post, the party, unequivocally decrying the violent attack, said it stood firmly with the security forces for their sacrifices in ensuring the “unity, integrity and sovereignty of the nation.”The incident comes less than a week after two personnel of the 40th battalion of the Assam Rifles were killed in a suspected militant attack on an army convoy in Manipur’s Ukhrul district.