7 June 2026 – A bridge under construction over the Manipur River at Mansaung, on the key route linking Tedim and Rihkhawdar in Chin State, was damaged in an explosion early this morning, according to local sources.
The blast occurred at around 4:30 am when unidentified individuals reportedly detonated explosives at one of the bridge’s mid-river support pillars on the border-side section of the structure.
The explosion was felt in nearby Lamzang village, and some roofing sheets from riverside shelters were reportedly blown away by the shockwave. While the bridge did not collapse, its pillar base and foundation sustained damage.
Residents reported finding wires believed to have been used in the explosion and hearing a motorcycle speeding toward Laitui village shortly afterward. The group responsible has not been identified.
The Mansaung bridge is a vital transportation link between Tedim and the India-Myanmar border town of Rihkhawdar. The previous bridge at the site was destroyed in June 2024, after which local residents helped maintain connectivity by building temporary crossings while the new bridge was being constructed. – Reporting by Daniel
