Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 02:
Troops under the HQ Inspector General Assam Rifles (south) gunned down five UNLF cadres, injured three besides, recovering arms and ammunition on May 1 morning, claimed a PIB (defence Wing) statement.
The operations in Samtal were undertaken after deliberate and painstaking collation and analysis of various intercepts over the last 15 days, the statement asserteds while explaining that the operation had become inevitable to mitigate hardships faced by innocent Kuki villagers of Laijang after the operations launched by the UNLF had resulted in displacement of Kukis from their homes and hearths.
Providing details on the operation, the PIB statement said troops concentrated at Moltuk of Chandel district for 2-3 days to conceal movements of additional troops in the area before advancing about 30 kilometres into the jungle to lay ambush upon UNLF column moving into the areas to intimidate the local population.
Mentioning that the initially worked out plan had to be changed immediately after a column was detected by some UNLF cadres, the statement said as deceptive measures, certain columns were pulled back to give the false impression of retreating which paid rich dividends as a UNLF column moved towards T Nampao thereby walking right into the ambush.
Mentioning that five UNLF cadres were slain in gun-fight as they opened fire on being challenged, it further said one of the deceased fell into a deep gorge and could not be retrieved.
Recovered items listed by the PIB included two AK-47 rifles, one lathode and a pistol besides information citing injuries suffered by large number of UNLF cadres.
The Assam Rifles columns were able to safely exfiltrate after the operation, the PIB said while asserting that such forays by troops of HQ IGAR (S) will continue to take place till Samtal area is cleared of UNLF presence.