GUWAHATI: A self-styled corporal of the banned Naga rebel group, NSCN (K) was gunned down by troops of Assam Rifles near Kunsa village in Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh on Friday night.
A Defence source informed on Saturday that acting on specific intelligence about NSCN(K) cadres trying to exfiltrate from Indian territory, the Khonsa battalion of Assam Rifles swiftly launched an operation establishing an ambush on likely exfiltration route of the terrorist.
In the late hours on Friday the security personnel on ambush saw a few torches moving towards them, the column challenged the approaching party to ascertain if they were villagers. The terrorist did not stop and opened automatic fire, the column immediately returned fire and the exchange of fire lasted 20 minutes in which a hardcore NSCN(K) cadre was eliminated. The other cadres managed to escape using cover of darkness and bad weather.
In subsequent search operation launched early Saturday morning the column found the body of the hardcore cadre in combat dress who had succumbed to bullet injuries. A pistol and other incriminating evidence was also recovered from him.
The eliminated cadre has been identified as Honcham Wangsa, self-styled corporal of NSCN(K)’s mobile-2 group. The slain rebel was suspected to be have been involved in an ambush on Assam Rifles column at Nignu on December 3, 2016 and was also known to be involved in extortion activities in the area.
The security forces have been carrying out aggressive operations in the South Arunachal Pradesh and this elimination has struck a blow to the illegal activities being carried out by the underground cadres of the group in the area.