3 killed, 1 hurt in ZUF-AR gun-fight
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Daniel Kamei

Tamenglong, May 22 2014 : At least three persons including two cadres of Zeliangrong Tiger Force (ZTF), the armed wing of Zeliangronmg United Front (ZUF), and one 13 Assam Rifles personnel were killed while another AR personnel injured in two separate incidents of gun battle between troops of 13 Assam Rifles and cadres of ZTF/ZUF at Puiluan (Kambiron) village under Nungba police station in Tamenglong district.

The two deceased ZUF cadres have been identified as Capt.

Thiulanpao of Raengkhung village and Makudin Longmei (45) son of Lungnihai of Thanagong (Khoupum) .

The 13 Assam Rifles personnel who succumbed to his injury was identified as riflemen Takhellambam Gokil Singh (Rifleman No.G/5022003) son of T.Dineshwor Singh and Takhellambam (o) Sanjembam Ibemacha Devi of Akham Mamang Leikai, Lamsang Police Station in Imphal West, while the injured 13 Assam Rifle Jawan as rifleman Atuwa Oram from Odisha.

The first incident where Atuwa Oram got injuries occurred at 8pm yesterday while the second battle fight broke out at 5:45 am today.

Troops of 13 Assam Rifles reportedly recovered two AK 47 rifles with two magazines and two Chinese hand grenades.

A reliable source said that the gun fight occurred while a vehicle of F Company of 13 Assam Rifles got stranded at Puiluan (Kambiron) village along NH-37 and a Bolero Camper MN03T2482 came from Nungba HQs side.

When the AR tried to stop the vehicle, the ZUF cadres start firing.

In retaliation, the two ZUF cadres got killed.

However, according to the police, at around 6:30 pm yesterday (May 21) some cadres of ZUF in an apparent attempt to abduct one villager identified as Chingkhudin, 50 years, s/o late Gongcharei of Nungba, forced the man to drive his own vehicle, Bolero Camper to an undisclosed destination along with the ZUF cadres.

Feeling apprehensive, Chingkhudin took with him a relative of his wife, a 14 years old identified as Kaninglung, s/o Jaheilung of Nungba.

On the way, ZUF cadres put three more people in the vehicle.

When they reached Taodum village vicinity which lies between Nungba town and Kambiron, they saw personnel of the 13 Assam Rifles from F-Coy repairing one of their vehicles at around 8:30 pm.

Police said the security force personnel asked the incoming vehicle to stop but the ZUF cadres asked Chingkhudin to proceed.

So they did not oblige the Assam Rifles' order.

The security force personnel somehow stopped them and placed a gun-barrel at the driver (Chingkhudin).

At that point of time Chingkhudin disclosed to the Assam Rifles personnel that he was being kidnapped by the ZUF cadres.

The moment saw ZUF cadres jumping out from the vehicle and the gun-battle followed killing one ZUF cadre identified as one Makudin, 42, s/o Lunguihai of Khoupum Phanagong, Tamenglong district.

He had two wives and 8 children.

Meanwhile, giving its version on the incidents, PRO Defence Wing said on May 21, troops of Red Shield Division intercepted a group of ZUF 'terrorists' speeding in a Bolero in the general area of Nungba.

As the troops approached the intercepted vehicle for carrying out search, two armed 'terrorists' opened fire at them.

Troops of Red Shield Division swiftly swung into action and returned the fire which led to neutralisation of one suspected ZUF cadre identified as Makunbhuma Phaomei, 25 years resident of Khoupam.

The retaliatory operation also resulted in apprehension of three suspected ZUF cadres namely Kuminglung Kamei son of Zahoilung Kamei, age 17 year resident of Kekru Naga; Ephihrim Pou Kamei, son of Aching Kamei, age 25 year resident of village Nungba and Chingkudin Kamei son of late Gangchari Kamei, 50 years resident of village Nungba.

In a statement, the PRO further said that one AK 47 Rifle, two Magazines of AK-47, 92 x 7.62mm live rounds, one Chinese Hand Grenade, Rs 800 in cash and one Khukhri were also recovered.

Subsequently, a search operation of the general area was launched in the early morning of May 22, which resulted in another fire-fight with a suspected ZUF cadre leading to elimination of the cadre identified as Self Styled Capt Mathews, a resident of Mukti Khullen.

One AK 47 Rifle, one magazine of AK -47 Rifle and four fired cases were recovered from the terrorist, the PRO said, adding that the search operation of the general area is still in progress.

Though this statement did not mention anything about the casualties on the side of the security forces, the PRO Defence in another statement said Rifleman TG Singh of 13 Assam Rifles deployed in Counter Insurgency Operations under Red Shield Division was martyred while countering terrorist action in the general area of Nungba on 21 May 14 .

Rifleman TG Singh was a part of an Area Domination Patrol along the NH-37 near Nungba when suspected ZUF terrorists opened indiscriminate fire from a fleeing vehicle.

With utter disregard to his personal safety, displaying admirable courage and determination, Rifleman TG Singh returned fire from his personal weapon and neutralised one suspected ZUF terrorist identified as Makunbhuma Phaomei.

His gallant action also resulted in apprehension of three cadres of ZUF alongwith recovery of arms and ammunitions.

Rifleman TG Singh however succumbed to his injuries and made the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.

The last rites of the martyr will be undertaken from his residence at Akham Mamang Leikai near Lamsang with full military honour, the PRO added.

(With additional inputs from Newmai News Network) .

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