Dimapur, March 17 2009: Delayed reports said that four militants were killed in a fierce gun battle between the combined force of NSCN-K, Manipur based UNLF and Assam based ULFA on one side and the NSCN-IM on the other at Tirap district in Arunachal Pradesh on March 12. Two deceased were from the NSCN-IM and the other two are from the combined force of the three militant outfit.

Meanwhile, the NSCN-IM has alleged today that it was the attack of the combined force of the three militant outfits - NSCN-K, UNLF and ULFA on the NSCN-IM.

The NSCN-IM in a press note in Dimapur stated that combined force was led by the Khaplang faction of the NSCN.

"The attack on the NSCN cadres at Tirap in Arunachal by the combined forces of Khaplang, UNLF and ULFA is something very discomforting given the ground situation where the three groups are simply losing track of their revolutionary vision, pointing their guns at the wrong direction.

For the Khaplang group there is no need for further probing in attacking NSCN.

Their restlessness to settle score with NSCN is history and the fact that they were nurtured and armed to counter-weight the NSCN is also history.

But what is so demeaning is the involvement of UNLF and ULFA in taking side with Khaplang against NSCN.

Where are they heading for by joining with the very group whose revolutionary credentials no long exist after they allowed themselves to be used by the Indian intelligence agencies like Intelligence Bureau (IB), RAW and MI," said the NSCN-IM statement.

The outfit also added that 'this is ridiculously suicidal' for these two high profile revolutionary groups of North east.

"When the combined force of around 100 attacked NSCN at Maktua, Lamchan, Longpu and Tingsa villages two cadres died, and in the retaliatory fire Khaplang group led forces also suffered two dead.

One arm was also captured by NSCN.

One NSCN cadre suffered injuries.

There is no loss of arms as reported in local papers.

Whenever the issue of reconciliation is raised in different occasions NSCN has always been receptive to such unification process but realistic at the same time," claimed the NSCN-IM statement.

It also said that because time and again 'Khaplang group' has been sheltering and using the non-Naga groups like Manipur's UNLF and Assam's ULFA against NSCN-IM.

"The Tirap attack is just one incident.

The solution to UNLF and ULFA's problem is not at the hands of NSCN.

But these two groups with diminishing political credibility is going the way of anti-revolutionary by not making the right impact against India to evoke government's attention.

In the world of revolution not at all the groups could project the correct image, other than turning more as a spent force making themselves vulnerable to any counter-revolutionary mission that serve the interest of India.

If Khaplang group is not doing India's bidding where is their business to use UNLF and ULFA? And who can trust them, even if they show their face in the attempt to find reconciliation," asserted the NSCN-IM statement.