UNLF storms AR post in Chandel district, claims casualties
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 15: The Assam Rifles suffered large-scale casualties when armed activists suspected to be cadres of the proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) launched a fierce assault at the 24 Assam Rifles camp located in T Minnou village (Border Pillar No 75) in Chandel district.

Assam rifles camp burnt in the UNLF/MPA attack at the T Minnou post of the para-military force

However the Assam Rifles denied suffering any casualty with Col GS of IGAR (S), mantripukhri confiding that with the exception of two personnel sustaining minor injuries in the attack all the AR men are safe and sound.

He also conceded that whether there was any civilian casualty could not be confirmed immediately.

Moreover, attempt to confirm the attack and casualty figure, if any, on the AR side as well as further details of the skirmish could not be ascertained as PRO IGAR (S) Col Pant is said to be out of station.

The security camp which came under attack from around 4 am today is informed to be about 12 kilometres south-west of Moreh police station.

Ironically, the attack took place as preparation was on for a grand celebration of the IGAR (South) completing its fourth year of operation in manipur at the mantripukhri headquarters of the para-military force today.

According to press sources, the T Minnou camp came under attack in early morning with the attackers using sophisticated weapons and lethode bombs leading to a fierce encounter that lasted for about six hours.

Informing that at around 8 am a large helicopter and two smaller choppers landed at the AR post helipad in Moreh town, the sources speculated that injured security personnel might have been evacuated to the Leimakhong military facility as the smaller choppers lifted moments after landing at the Moreh post.

Even though the sources contended that no less than six AR personnel were slain in the assault, police sources expressed reluctance to commensurate the said figure insisting that AR authorities are yet to intimate/report police on the incident.

Besides the AR casualty figure, the sources maintained that a Priest identified as Fr Holkhomang Mate alias Sempu (43) s/o (L) Jangkhothang of Moreh Ward No 1 was the seventh victim.

With the attack taking place near the bustling Moreh town public in the border area are apprehensive of further violence and can be summed up from the fact that even public address system used for the ongoing Lai Haraoba (religious event) at Moreh Ward No 7 has been removed by the organisers.

mention may be made that T Minou is the same place wherein personnel of the 24 Assam Rifles eliminated six PLA cadres on February 23.