A soldier died while three persons were injured in a powerful blast near the international border in Manipur early on Monday morning, an official said.

The deceased, identified as Rifleman Arjun (only first name disclosed), died in a hospital near Imphal, sources said.

According to reports, the foreign-made remote-controlled bomb exploded at Lokchao along the Trans Asian Highway 102 as the personnel of the 165 Territorial Army were passing by, the official said.
 

The injured were shifted to an army hospital at Leimakhong near the state capital. A helicopter was pressed into service to air-lift at least four of the injured personnel.

Police suspect there could be several casualties.