General Dalbir Singh Suhang, Chief of the Army Staff, rushed to Imphal on Friday afternoon to quarterback the combing operation in Chandel, the border district where a combined force of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (K), Kanglei Yawol Kunna Lupp and Kangleipak Communist Party ambushed a column of 6 Dogra Regiment on Thurday killing at least 19 personnel. One insurgent, suspected to be a cadre of the NSCN(K), was also killed.
Soon after his arrival at the airport here, Gen. Suhang rushed to the district by helicopter to see for himself the spot and the operations being undertaken by security forces. Talking to reporters, Manipur Home Minister Gaikhangam Gangmei said State and Central forces were scouring the area for insurgents.
ADVERTISEMENT
The international border with Mynmar has been sealed and movement of traders, tourists at Moreh where there is a legalised trade, has been restricted. Sources said even MLAs and other high officials are not permitted to enter the affected areas over security concerns.
Helicopters have been deployed for the operations.
The National Intelligence Agency has taken over the investigation. Sources, however, said that chances of nabbing the insurgents responsible for the ambush were very slim as it was feared that they had fled to their hideouts across the international border. The ambush site is just 30 km from the international border and the insurgents could have escaped long before the arrival of reinforcements.
ADVERTISEMENT