Source: The Sangai Express / Sinlianmang Guite
Lamka, August 13:
Two PLA cadres, said to be involved in the August 11 bomb attack on a convoy of BSF, were killed at Thingkangphai village early this morning by Assam Rifles after receiving specific information on the presence of the armed men.
In a statement, PIB (Defence Wing) said that following a tip off that five PLA cadres were hiding in Churachandpur town after the grenade attack on the BSF on August 11, the Quick Reaction Team of AR swung into action and reached Thingkangphai on the outskirts of the town.
The PLA cadres tried to escape by firing and making use of the darkness and in the ensuing gun fight the two militants were eliminated, added the statement.
Two 9 mm pistol with six rounds of ammunition and two Chinese hand grenades were recovered from the slain cadres, said PIB and added that unconfirmed reports said that the slain cadres belonged to the Auxiliary Department of the PLA who were asked to carry out a series of blast on Independence Day.
It is also learnt that the PLA cadres were hiding in Churachandpur town to carry out attacks on police vehicles belonging to key functionaries of the Government, said PIB.
A highly placed source, quoting Assam Rifles, said one Amit Kumar son of Ingocha of Zoveng was apprehended at around 3 pm yesterday.
On interrogation, the apprehended youth disclosed the whereabouts of his companions involved in the bomb attack on a BSF water tanker in front of the police station here.
Based on the information, AR personnel conducted a search operation at Thing-kangphai village in the dead of the night.
At around 2.15 am today, two individuals were seen running away and when challenged they tried to fire with a pistol, a report filed by the AR at the police station said.
The two, identified as S/S Lance Corporal MD Tomba alias Lianchinthang son of Oli of Kwakta and residing at Gochinkhup Veng New Lamka and Moirangthem Ibosana Singh, 25 son of Boba Singh of Thinunggei were allegedly killed in the ensuing encounter.
Two 9 mm pistols, six rounds of ammo and a hand grenade were recovered from the slain cadres and the same have already been handed over to the police
station.
Though the bodies of the two slain cadres were handed over to their family members, the police still have no words on Amit Kumar, the arrested accomplice.
Despite the fear psychosis created by the bomb attack on August 11 that killed a civilian and the elimination of two militants today, preparations for celebrating the Nation's Independence Day is going on.
Full dress rehearsal for Independence Day was held under the personal supervision of the Deputy Commissioner and the SP along with the CO of 1st MR. Security has been beefed up in and around the ground that will host the Independence day celebration.