Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 20:
Even as the Army authorities had earlier claimed that Henglep area has been cleared of militants since June 18, eight militants belonging to the UNLF and PREPAK were killed in a shoot out with security personnel near Phoipi located about ten kms north east of Henglep today at about 2 pm.
In a statement PIB Defence Wing, quoting the Army said three columns of the Red Shields were pressed into service for this operation.
Apart from eliminating the eight militants, the troops managed to seize a huge cache of arms and ammunition.
The weapons seized include six AK-47 rifles, one RPG with four rockets, one M-16 rifle, one G-3 rifle, 1 shot gun and 1 lathode launcher.
Two army jawans were hurt on the legs.
In another statement PIB Defence Wing, quoting Army authorities claimed that Henglep and the surrounding areas have been cleared of militants since June 18.The statement said that pressing on with the offensive operation into the interior areas, troops of Red Shield Division, 57 Mountain Division undertook a major operation to clear Henglep Sub-division in Churachandpur district.
After a long approach march and new skirmishes en-route, the troops closed onto Henglep and cleared the surrounding areas of militants since June 18, the statement said, adding that the army claimed that the armed outfits suffered losses both physically and psychologically and are on the run.
Army accomplished the mission without suffering any casualties, the statement said.
Two bodies of militants along with two AK-47 rifles were recovered and these have been handed over to Loktak police station, the statement informed.
The troops also destroyed a number of hide-outs and IEDs in Henglep and nearby areas, the statement claimed, while observing that Henglep had been a stronghold of militants since the last 6 years where their writ ran large.