Dimapur, December 02 (NNN): In the ensuing Naga underground factional clashes in Tuensang, Mon and Phek districts of Nagaland, NNC/FGN and the NSCN-K have joined hands to counter the NSCN-IM.

Reports of fierce gun battles in the area have been received.

NSCN-K Kilonser Kughalu Mulatonu told some reporters that nine NSCN-IM cadres were killed in yesterday's gun fight somewhere in the Nagaland- Myanmar boder.

However, the NSCN-IM leaders here in Dimapur dismissed the claim of the NSCN-K leader.

Another report said that about 70 NSCN-IM cadres have stationed at a school building in Tuensang area where the combined force of NNC/FGN and NSCN-K have been positioning themselves.

Reports of factional clashes between NSCN rivals reaching here have elicited conflicting statements when both factions were contacted for veracity.

The NSCN (K) claimed on Wednesday that over one dozen NSCN (I-M) armed personnel were killed during the past week in clashes.

According to NSCN (K) spokesman Kughalu Mulatonu last week under 'Strike Operation' in Noklak under Tuensang district, NSCN (K) cadres mowed down nine NSCN(I-M) cadres besides injuring many more.

Mulatonu said the gunfight lasted several hours.

He further said the operations were launched as a defensive option against what he claimed, was the ongoing operation jointly carried out by the "triple alliance" of Myanmar, India and NSCN (I-M) against the NSCN(K).

"Our cadres gunned down thee NSCN (I-M) cadres and recovered three automatic weapons in one incident in Tirap last week", Mulatonu claimed.

"There had been gunfights between the two sides in New Sangsa in Mon district and Nokoyan on Saturday and Monday last", said Mulatonu, adding there were, however, no casualties on either side.

He said the NSCN (K) was fully-prepared to face any sort of operations launched against it, and added that it would continue its operations until and unless its rivals realized their mistakes and stop attacking his cadres.

When contacted top NSCN (IM) leaders in Dimapur rubbished the claim stating that the NSCN (K) leader's report was nothing but mere propaganda.

PTI adds from Kohima: Even as top leaders of NSCN (IM) have decided to visit New Delhi soon to further the Naga peace parleys after the Centre issued a clarification to them on "misunderstandings between the two sides over certain issues", factional fights continue unabated in Nagaland with many lives lost.

Gun battles between two rival factions of NSCN have been reported from Tuensang and Mon district adjoining Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh during the past week.

Although official reports said only three NSCN (IM) cadres died in factional fighting near Tizit in Mon district last week, the NSCN (K) claimed it had gunned down about a dozen NSCN (IM) activists in border districts in the past couple of days.

But NSCN (IM) rubbished the claim saying it was nothing but "propaganda" by the rival group.

NSCN (K) also claimed that its operations against NSCN (IM) was the outcome of the alleged joint onslaught against it by the Indian Army, Myanmarese Junta and NSCN (IM).

District administrations of Mon and Tuensang said the activities of armed cadres of all the three underground groups were increasing in the past fortnight to expand their base.

The police and security forces had intensified patrols to check rival groups coming close to civilian areas.

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