In yet another blow to the NSCN(K), security forces killed two militants belonging to Khaplang faction of militant outfit at a remote location along the Indo-Myanmar border in Nagaland in the wee hours on Thursday.
The incident took place at Avangkhu in Phek district of Nagaland that borders Myanmar, confirmed lt. Col. Suneet Newton, Defence Spokesman.
He said that there were reports of kidnapping and forced recruitment of school children by the NSCN faction from Avangkhu and Pokhungri villages under Meluri Sub Division in the district.
“A patrol of security forces was sent to the area to ascertain the facts. The NSCN (K) militants fired at the security forces leading to a retaliation and subsequent gun fight. After the gun battle, the security forces searched the area and recovered bodies of two militants,” he said adding that another militant was injured but managed to escape with the help of his colleague.
“Both the militants were in uniform and in possession of rifles including one AK 47. large quantity of ammunition was also recovered from them,” Newton said.
The NSCN (K) had abrogated the ceasefire with the Government of India in March this year and launched a series of attacks on the security forces in three States-Nagaland, Manipur and in Arunachal Pradesh. On June 4 this year, the militants attacked a convoy of the Army at Chandel district of Manipur killing 18 soldiers and injuring 11 others.
This forced the Central Government to launch an offensive against the NSCN (K) particularly along the Indo-Myanmar border. The Indian Army also claimed to have launched surgical operation against the northeastern militants in Myanmarese soil last month and destroyed some of the camps there.