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{{Short description|Indian Army officer}}

'''Colonel Viplav Tripathi''' (20 May 1980 - 13 November 2021) was an [[Indian Army]] officer, killed in an ambush by Manipuri militants. In that ambush, Triptathi's wife Anuja Shukla and son Abeer were also killed.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Negi |first1=Manjeet |date=13 November 2021 |title=Manipur: Army Colonel, his wife and kid among 7 killed as insurgents ambush Assam Rifles convoy |language=en |work=India Today |publisher=[[India Today]] |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/army-convoy-ambushed-manipur-soldiers-injured-ied-1876310-2021-11-13 |access-date=8 May 2022}}</ref>

== Early life and career ==
Born on May 20, 1980, [[Raigarh]] of [[Chhattisgarh|Chattishgarh]], Viplav studied in [[Sainik School, Rewa|Sainik School]] in Rewa of [[Madhya Pradesh]]. Viplav's father Subhash Tripathi is a journalist and his mother Asha Tripathi was a librarian. Viplav's grandfather [[Kishori Mohan Tripathi]] was a Freedom Fighter and [[Member of parliament]] (MP) of India. Viplav was inspired to join the army by his grandfather in his childhood ages.<ref>{{cite news |title=Colonel Tripathi, Martyred in Manipur Ambush, Was Inspired by His Freedom Fighter Grandfather |url=https://thewire.in/security/colonel-tripathi-martyred-in-manipur-ambush-was-inspired-by-his-freedom-fighter-grandfather |access-date=8 May 2022 |work=The Wire |publisher=[[The Wire (India)]] |date=14 November 2021}}</ref>

Viplav's younger brother Anay Tripathi is also an [[Indian Army]] officer, serving as [[Lieutenant colonel|Lieutenant Colonel]] in [[Shillong]], [[Meghalaya]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Service, Raipur |first1=Express News |title=Colonel killed in Manipur ambush cremated |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/manipur-ambush-martyred-colonel-cremated-mother-jai-hind-7624500/ |access-date=8 May 2022 |work=The Indian Express |publisher=[[The Indian Express]] |date=16 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

== Military career ==
Tripathi was selected to [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]] (NDA) and moved to [[Indian Military Academy]] for training. Tripathi was commissioned as a [[Lieutenant]] in the [[Kumaon Regiment]] in 2001. He had also taken courses in [[Defence Services Staff College]].<ref>{{cite news |author=FP Staff |title=A freedom fighter's grandson who led anti-drug campaigns: Who was slain officer Viplav Tripathi |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/a-freedom-fighters-grandson-who-led-anti-drug-campaigns-who-was-slain-officer-viplav-tripathi-10135421.html |access-date=8 May 2022 |work=Firstpost |publisher=[[Firstpost]] |date=14 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

Tripathi also served in Mizoram before he was transferred to Manipur in 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mehrotra |first1=Vani |title='His goodwill will last an eternity': Assam Rifles remembers slain colonel Viplav Tripathi |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/assam-rifles-commanding-officer-viplav-tripathi-wife-son-convoy-attack-manipur-terrorist-ambush-745037 |access-date=8 May 2022 |publisher=[[India TV]] |date=14 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Tripathi, who successfully led many major operations seizing drugs and illegal weapons, was named by colleagues as "josh machine".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sagar |first1=Pradip R |title=War on drugs and weapons led to killing of commanding officer, jawans in Manipur ambush |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2021/11/15/war-on-drugs-and-weapons-led-to-killing-of-commanding-officer-jawans-in-manipur-ambush.html |access-date=15 May 2022 |work=The Week |publisher=[[The Week (Indian magazine)|The Week]] |date=15 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

== The ambush ==
On the morning of 13 November 2021, Colonel Tripathi, serving as the [[Commanding officer]] of 46 [[Assam Rifles]], and his team was going to the battalion headquarters at Khunga after returning from the Behiang border post that is near to Myanmar border. Tripathi also took his wife Anuja and son Abir in his official vehicle, having no idea about what is going to happen on his way.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Rahul |last2=Samom |first2=Sobhapati |title=Col, kin among 7 killed in Manipur ambush near Myanmar border; India vows strong response |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/col-kin-among-7-killed-in-manipur-ambush-near-myanmar-border-india-vows-strong-response-101636820150131.html |access-date=8 May 2022 |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=13 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

When the Triptahi's convoy reached the Sekhan village of [[Churachandpur district]], the convoy came under a sudden and heavy ambush led by an [[Improvised explosive device]] (IED) blast following heavy firings from dense forest, giving soldiers no time to retaliate.<ref>{{cite news |title=Colonel Viplav Tripathi |publisher=Honourpoint |url=https://www.honourpoint.in/profile/colonel-viplav-tripathi/ |access-date=8 May 2022}}</ref> In the ambush, Colonel Tripathi, his wife Anuja, son Abir, and four riflemen named Suman Swargiary, Khatnei Konyak, R.P. Meena, and Shyamal Das were killed on the spot.<ref>{{cite news |date=13 November 2021 |title=India: Assam Rifles colonel, family members among 7 killed in Manipur ambush |language=en |publisher=[[Gulf News]] |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/india-assam-rifles-colonel-family-members-among-7-killed-in-manipur-ambush-1.83669599 |url-access=subscription |access-date=8 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Choudhury |first1=Ratnadip |date=13 November 2021 |title=Colonel, His Wife And Son Among 7 Dead In Ambush By Terrorists In Manipur |work=NDTV |publisher=[[NDTV]] |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/army-colonel-3-soldiers-among-6-dead-in-ambush-by-terrorists-in-manipur-2609419 |access-date=8 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Karmakar |first1=Sumir |title=Assam Rifles Colonel, his wife and son among seven killed by militants in Manipur |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/east-and-northeast/assam-rifles-colonel-his-wife-and-son-among-seven-killed-by-militants-in-manipur-1050238.html |access-date=8 May 2022 |work=Deccan Herald |publisher=[[Deccan Herald]] |date=13 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chakrabarti |first1=Angana |title=10-ft-wide road, thicket of trees — Assam Rifles attack site a 'textbook-perfect ambush spot' |url=https://theprint.in/india/10-ft-wide-road-thicket-of-trees-assam-rifles-attack-site-a-textbook-perfect-ambush-spot/767606/ |access-date=8 May 2022 |work=ThePrint |publisher=[[ThePrint]] |date=18 November 2021}}</ref>

Claiming responsibility for the ambush Manipuri militant group [[People's Liberation Army of Manipur]] (PLA), said that they were not aware of any civilian's presence in the convoy. They also said that they follow the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and they would have aborted the ambush if they were aware of the presence of women and children.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Laithangbam |first1=Iboyaima |date=18 November 2021 |title=Manipur ambush {{!}} Was not aware of presence of woman, child: Revolutionary People's Front |language=en-IN |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/manipur-ambush-was-not-aware-of-presence-of-woman-child-revolutionary-peoples-front/article37556964.ece |url-access=limited |access-date=8 May 2022}}</ref>

== NIA investigation ==

The [[Manipur]] [[Chief minister]] announced that the government will request the [[National Investigation Agency]] (NIA) to probe the incident of ambush.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Leivon |first1=Jimmy |title=Manipur govt to hand over Churachandpur ambush probe to NIA: CM Biren |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/manipur/manipur-govt-to-handover-churachandpur-ambush-probe-to-nia-cm-biren-7629914/ |access-date=8 May 2022 |work=The Indian Express |publisher=[[The Indian Express]] |date=18 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref> After getting intimation from the [[Manipur]] government, the [[National Investigation Agency]] took charge of the probe and registered a case under several sections of the [[Indian Penal Code]] (IPC) and the [[Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act]] (UAPA).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Correspondence |first1=Special |date=6 January 2022 |title=Manipur ambush: NIA declares rewards against 10 |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/manipur-ambush-nia-declares-rewards-against-10/article38144422.ece |url-access=limited |access-date=8 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Ankur |title=NIA Registers Case in Manipur Ambush That Killed Assam Rifles Commanding Officer, Family, 4 Jawans |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/nia-registers-case-in-manipur-ambush-that-killed-assam-rifles-commanding-officer-family-4-jawans-4495634.html |access-date=8 May 2022 |work=News18 |publisher=[[News18]] |date=28 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Rajnesh |title=NIA begins probe in Manipur ambush, takes over case from state police |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/nia-begins-probe-in-manipur-ambush-takes-over-case-from-state-police20211204185212/ |access-date=8 May 2022 |work=ANI |agency=[[Asian News International]] |date=4 December 2021}}</ref>

During the investigation to date, the [[National Investigation Agency]] found that 10 militants were involved in the attack. As the militants are still not apprehended, the agency announced cash rewards if anyone can share details to apprehend the militants. The agency also released photos of the militants.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nath |first1=Hemanta Kumar |title=Manipur ambush: NIA declares cash rewards for information on 10 insurgents |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/manipur-ambush-nia-cash-rewards-information-insurgents-1897028-2022-01-07 |access-date=8 May 2022 |work=India Today |publisher=[[India Today]] |date=7 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

The [[National Investigation Agency]] announced a cash reward for the accused as Rs 8 Lakh for Lt. Col. Chaoyai alias Pukhrambam Mani Meetei alias Joy (Resident of: Seraou Mayai Leikai, Kakchin District, Manipur), and Sagolsem Inaocha alias Ranjit Naorem alias Inaocha alias Anganba Mongang (Resident of: Kakwa Naorem Leikai, PS: Singjamei, Imphal West, Manipur), Rs 6 Lakh for Sanatomba (Resident of Tentha Village, District: Thoubal, Manipur), Rs 4 Lakh for Khaba (Resident of: Either Khurai Area, PS: Porompat or Andro Area, PS: Andro, Manipur), Joseph, Rocky, Balin, Khwairakpa (Resident of: Bashikhong Area, Imphal East, Manipur), Nongyai alias Nongphai(details not known), and Kanta(details not known).<ref>{{cite news |title=NIA announces Rs 50 lakh rewards for information on insurgents who killed Assam Rifles Commandant, his family |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/nia-announces-rs-50-lakh-rewards-information-insurgents-killed-assam-rifles-commandant-family-1503036847.html |work=The Statesman |publisher=[[The Statesman (India)]] |date=7 January 2022}}</ref> The agency also said that the name of informants will be kept confidential and the accused are using other aliases.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Correspondent |first1=HT |title=Manipur attack: Cash rewards for info leading to arrest of 10 insurgents |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/manipur-attack-cash-rewards-for-info-leading-to-arrest-of-10-insurgents-101641465152151.html |access-date=8 May 2022 |work=Hindustan Times |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=6 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

== Notes ==
#[https://www.nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1144_1_Pr.pdf Declaration of cash reward against the wanted accused persons, NIA HQRS, 06-01-2022]

== References ==

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:Terrorism in India]]
[[Category:Terrorism deaths in India]]

Viplav Tripathi - Revision history

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