Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 13:
Categorically rejecting news item regarding the UNLF accusing security forces of using landmines, a PIB (DW) statement described the outfit's contention as indication of desperation following reverses suffered by the UG group in south Chandel, Henglep, Kaiphundai and Bekra areas.
The outfit is trying to mislead the public by confusing the issue of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), used by them, and landmines, charged the statement while claiming that �there are irrefutable facts to substantiate that most of the UG outfits are employing IED warfare to counter the operations of security forces'.
Elaborating on the contention the PIB pointed to maximum number of IED incidents having taken place in the interiors of the State, where security forces had never been deployed.
�This is further substantiated by the number of IEDs encountered by the security forces recently while clearing kaiphundai area of NH-53, Henglep and Bekra region', maintained the PIB with details on recovery and neutralising of 87 IEDs and detention of large quantity of explosives, detonators and other items required for fabricating IEDs by the Army during the operations.
Unsuspecting and hapless people residing in farflung areas falling victim to IEDs/landmines including 11 villagers of Thanlon, Parbung and Tipaimukh sub-divisions in Churachandpur district being killed or maimed proves beyond doubt of the UNLF using such explosive devices, it asserted.
Absence of Army in these areas and villagers categorically stating that these IEDs were laid by the UNLF which is active in the said areas since the last many years are ample proof of the UG group's reliance on IEDs, the PIB statement added.
It further maintained that Army religiously sticks to the principle of never using IEDs or landmines during operations and to avoid collateral damage only small calibre weapons are employed with high degree of restraint even when engaged in gunfight against UG cadres.
The increased use of IEDs by UG outfits may be due to desperate attempt to impose caution on security forces from carrying out further operations against their remaining few strongholds, observed the PIB (DW) press release.
Meanwhile, a press statement issued by the PRO Hq IGAR informed of 16 Assam Rifles explosive experts recovering and neutralising 18 IEDs planted by UG groups in the general area of Joupi in Chandel district today.
The time recovery and necessary measures of the AR troopers under the aegis of 26 Sector have resulted in sanitising the area of life-threatening devices and providing safe passage of civilians and their livestock, added the PRO.
It further reminded of a civilian named Thang Khochong Khongsai (23) of suffering severe wounds due to IED blast in the same area on December 10.The IEDs recovered today were neutralised/destroyed in Situ for which the villagers expressed profound gratitude, added the statement.