Imphal, August 13 2009: A road opening party of 23 Assam Rifles was fired at by unidentified militants near Sakok village under Phungyar sub-division at around 8.40 am yesterday.

According to a statement issued by PRO Assam Rifles today, the party immediately retaliated and a firefight ensued between the Assam Rifles troops and the militants.

At around noon, the militants once again fired at the AR column in general area south of Hundung Goda and tried to take advantage of the thick vegetation and tough terrain condition.

But the AR troop once again retaliated effectively and the firefight continued.

In the conduct of the operations, bodies of two militants have been found and arms, ammunition and warlike stores recovered.

Intercepts of the conversation between the militants and intelligence inputs revealed that 3 to 4 militants have been killed, the PRO said, adding that sources also indicated that the militant groups which fired at the AR cadres are likely to be NSCN (IM) cadres moving along with some unidentified valley based insurgent groups.

Due care had been taken up to ensure that no collateral damage was caused to the civilians, the PRO said, adding that the AR troops will continue to take strong and effective action against any militant outfit operating against the security forces or indulging in anti-national activities.