Imphal, December 15: In an intense assault undertaken by MPA cadres of 292 Bn against a post of security force located at Aigeyang village in Sajik area at about 11.30 am today, 5 security personnel were killed and 7 others injured, claimed the proscribed UNLF.

A statement issued by the outfit's Senior Publicity Officer Ksh Yoiheiba informed that the attack was launched using rockets and 79 mm lathodes.

The security forces have been using Aigeyang village as their Coy Hqs since the early part of 2006.Counting today's assault, MPA have attacked the post four times.

To retrieve the dead bodies and the injured personnel, security forces used two helicopters.

One helicopter hovered around in the air firing indiscriminately all the while to cover the other helicopter which touched down to retrieve the corpses and the injured personnel, conveyed Yoiheiba.

In another battle, cadres of MPA's 292 Bn were engaged in a heavy gun fight near Molcham with an advancing troop of security forces.

The exact location of the battle is about 65 kms from Moreh along the road to Molcham, also known as DC road.

The battle was going on at the time of filing this report, informed Yoiheiba.

Disclosing that the area is the C-Coy Hqs of MPA 293 Bn, the outfit hinted that the place will remain a battle ground for some days to come.

In the surrounding areas of C-Coy Hqs, a large number of security personnel have been making their positions in the nearby villages.

In the ongoing battle, the UKLF, which was earlier friendly to UNLF, has teamed up with the KNA and is assisting the security forces.

Such irresponsible act of defying the filial relationships among the indigenous people may result in serious unwanted, ill-consequences in future, cautioned the UNLF.

Another strategy being employed by the security forces is threatening Kuki villagers who used to help MPA cadres by using Kuki armed groups.

Subsequent upon the threats, many villagers have fled from their homesteads and are wandering around, said Yoiheiba.

Even though the UNLF/MPA is providing food and clothes to more than 300 displaced villagers of Old Somtal and S Bongjoy who are currently taking shelter at New Somtal and Laijang, it is feared that the displaced villagers may fall into greater hardships with escalation of the ongoing armed confrontation with security forces in the days to come, conveyed Yoiheiba.

The UNLF/MPA further appealed to all the people to help the displaced and suffering villagers.

It also extended gratitude to all those who helped and stood by the suffering people.

Stating that the MPA will continue to resist any offensive in order to protect base area of the liberation movement and the lives and properties of people within the area, the UNLF observed that the security forces have been able to make some advancements capitalising on their superior numerical strength following ceasefire agreements between the Government of India and several insurgent groups of the North East region including the NSCN (IM).

Yet, it would be no easy task to capture MPA's 293 Bn Hqs area.

The security forces must pay a heavy price for it, asserted Yoiheiba.

The ongoing Operation Somtal was launched on November 15 with the combined strength of three brigades, he added.