PTI
GUWAHATI, NOVEMBER 5
Four NSCN (IM) militants were killed in two separate encounters with Assam Rifles and the police in Dima Hasao district and arms recovered from them, Defence sources said today.
The Assam Rifles under HQ IGAR (E) had launched an operation yesterday near village Robi Basti, four km from Haflong, and an encounter ensued resulting in the death of three NSCN-IM cadres, the sources said.
Stating the militants were active in areas around Malangpa village in the district, they said the recoveries include two AK series rifles, 73 rounds of ammunition and other war-like stores.
Another operation was conducted near village Kopilo, the day before, on the junction of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur, an area frequented by NSCN-IM insurgents for their transit to Assam, the sources said.
In the encounter an ultra was killed and one AK-47 rifle, one Lathod rifle, one hand grenade and over 100 rounds of ammunition were recovered from him.
Earlier in August, two NSCN-IM cadres including an Area Commander were killed in an encounter with Assam Rifles at village Asalu under Mahur police station in the district.
THE GUWAHATI BASED PRO-DEFENCE WING ADDS: In two separate operations, within 24 hours, the Dima Hasao based Assam Rifles under HQ IGAR(E) along with Assam Police have neutralized a total of four militants of NSCN-IM. The first operation was conducted on November 3 near village Kopilo in Dima Hasao district near the tri-junction between Assam, Nagaland and Manipur, an area frequented by NSCN-IM cadres for their transit to Assam, the PRO-Defence Wing said. The operation was launched at night and lasted few hours, which resulted in killing of one cadre while it is assessed that two more cadres have succumbed to the bullet injuries during their escape, it claimed. One lone body has been recovered and thorough search is being done to recover two more bodies. The total recovery includes one AK 47 rifle, one Lathod rifle and one hand grenade and more than 100 rounds of ammunition, the PRO-Defence Wing further claimed.
The second operation was launched on Novenber 4 near village Robi Basti, four km from Haflong resulting in neutralization of three more NSCN-IM cadres. These cadres were active in areas around village Malangpa, Dima Hasao dist. The total recovery includes two AK series rifle, 73 rounds of ammunition and other war like stores, the PRO-Defence also stated.
“With these operations Assam Rifles have dealt a severe blow to the NSCN-IM which has carried out merciless extortion from poor farmers during the ongoing harvesting season. Both these operations will affect the NSCN-IM presence in Dima Hasao district and the local population too is likely to benefit from extortion threats. Earlier in August 2014 also, Assam Rifles had neutralized two cadres of NSCN-IM including an Area Commander in village Asalu under Mahur police station,” the PRO-Defence based said.
