A grenade blast was reported on Republic Day in a remote border village of Arunachal Pradesh, raising security concerns even as the country marked the 77th Republic Day with celebrations across India.According to official sources, the explosion took place at Ranglum village near Border Pillar 168, close to the Indo-Myanmar international boundary, in Changlang district. The blast was reportedly caused by a grenade that was hurled in the area. No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident.An official confirmed that security agencies suspect the involvement of extremist elements operating in the sensitive border region. “We are suspecting extremists behind the incident,” the official said, adding that investigations are underway to determine the exact circumstances of the blast.
Sources indicated that cadres of insurgent groups such as NSCN Khaplang–Yung Aung faction and ULFA (Independent) are suspected to be active in areas close to the international border with Myanmar. The region has long been considered vulnerable due to its difficult terrain and proximity to cross-border insurgent movement. Following the explosion, additional security forces were deployed in and around Ranglum village. Search operations were launched to trace any extremist presence in the surrounding forested areas, officials said.
Security agencies have remained on high alert in eastern Arunachal Pradesh, especially during national events. The incident comes against the backdrop of earlier insurgency-related incidents in the region. In October last year, two labourers were abducted by NSCN-K cadres from a construction site in Laho village under the Dadam Circle of Tirap district. The labourers were later rescued safely following a coordinated operation by security forces.
