Imphal: The Assam Rifles has neutralised 10 militants of a banned outfit and seized a large cache of arms and ammunition along the Indo-Myanmar Border (IMB) in Manipur. According to the Army, the militants were involved in cross-border insurgency.
“On Wednesday, a patrol party of the Assam Rifles came under heavy fire near the New Samtal village in the Chandel district of Manipur. The troops acted in an extremely professional manner. After the initial volley, they regrouped and started returning fire,” a senior official of the Indian Army’s Spear Corps said.
“The troops demonstrated exceptional composure and combat readiness. The soldiers responded in a precise, measured and calibrated manner. The operation resulted in the neutralisation of ten individuals in camouflage fatigues,” he added.
A thorough search of the area was carried out during which a large cache of weapons, including seven AK-47 rifles, an RPG launcher, an M4 rifle and four single-barrel breech-loading (SBBL) rifles, along with ammunition and other war-like stores were recovered.
“Preliminary, assessments suggest that the neutralised individuals were involved in cross-border insurgent activity. Efforts are underway to confirm their identities. The situation along the IMB remains under heightened surveillance. Security forces are maintaining a robust posture and are in coordination with civil administration and intelligence agencies to ensure peace and stability in the region,” the official added.
Manipur is gradually emerging from months of ethnic clashes that killed a large number of people and left thousands homeless. The state is presently under President’s Rule and central forces are aiding the local police in the arrest of insurgents and seizure of weapons and explosives.
