OUR CORRESPONDENT
ITANAGAR: Security forces in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh, gunned down two militants of the NSCN (K-YA) during a joint operation, official sources informed here on Thursday.
Based on specific inputs received on Tuesday regarding presence of active cadres of NSCN (K-YA) in Kottam forest area of the district, a joint operation was launched by the district police and Khonsa Battalion of Assam Rifles in the area on Wednesday, a report from the District Information and Public Relation Officer (DIPRO) said.
The security team after exhaustive search for approximate ten hours ascertained the exact location of the hideout. Subsequently, the area was cordoned off and the team challenged the insurgents to surrender upon which, the militants opened indiscriminate fire on the team, said the report.
Security forces retaliated with firing which, resulted in elimination of two hardcore insurgents of the NSCN (K-YA), said the report, adding that two automatic assault rifles including one MQ series rifle, one M-16 rifle, two country made gun, one 9 mm pistol, one Chinese hand grenade, ammunition and other war like stores were recovered from the possession of the slained ultras.
The report added that a group of approximately 10 rebels of the outfit led by self-styled 'Captain' Rocky Thapa, commander of the district, were active in the area during the past one month.
The group had been victimizing the innocent villagers of Kollam, Lomlo, Kolagaon and Lamsa villages under Khonsa and Deomali circles of the district by extorting money in form of house tax and threatening them of dire consequences if the villagers do not pay the extortion money.
The nefarious activities of the group kept on increasing to an extent that they started hitting and threatening the village committee members. The group was constantly threatening civil contractor engaged in construction of roads in Deomali circle to pay extortion money.
"The operation has caused a huge dent to the nefarious activities of the banned outfit and also displays close cooperation of Assam Rifles and Tirap police as well as ever building trust of local populace on security forces which are undeniable crucial factors in success of counter insurgency operations," the report said.
"The continuous efforts, relentless pursuit and joint operations by Assam Rifles and Tirap Police to apprehend various underground cadres operating in the district trying to disrupt peace and harmony have been paying huge dividends," the report added.
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