3 ZUF men killed in fresh clash with 'IM'
Source: Hueiyen News Service Daniel Kamei / NNN
Tamenglong/Imphal, November 12 2013:
Three militants were reportedly killed and injured many others in a fierce gun-battle which broke out after a long lull between the armed cadres of NSCN-IM and Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF)/Tiger Force at Phalong (Bhalok village) in Tamenglong district this afternoon.
Phalong village is located at a distance of 12 Km from the District HQs towards the east under Tamenglong police station.
The fresh gun-battle between the two rival armed outfits broke out at around 12: 36 pm and continued till 5: 40 pm.
Phalong villagers along with members of some frontal organisations used loud speakers to request the two rival armed groups to stop the gun-battle.
In the gun battle, three ZUF cares were reportedly killed and two weapons were seized by NSCN-IM.
The local people also confirmed the three bodies of cadres suspected to be ZUF cadres were lying at the battle site.
However, no one has identified the bodies lying beside the village of Phalong.
Meanwhile, NSCN-IM has claimed that the three deceased cadres hailed from ZUF.
According NSCN-IM leaders, at around 12:30 pm today the ZUF cadres launched attacks on the NSCN-IM cadres from two sides near the hill-lock of Bhalok village.
Explosives were also used in the attacks.
Due to the explosions, an NSCN-IM cadre was injured, said the NSCN-IM source.
"However, we retaliated and killed three cadres of the ZUF.
We also recovered two weapons of the deceased cadres but could not recover the third weapon of the deceased ZUF cadre," claimed the NSCN-IM source.
According to NSCN-IM, their cadres were heading for the Bhalok hills from Khebuching this morning.
"And it appeared that these ZUF cadres were pursuing us from two sides and launched attacks near Bhalok," said the NSCN-IM leaders.
Though how many cadres from both sides suffered casualties could not be confirmed, one NSCN-IM cadre identified as Private Hormi (23), who sustained serious injuries on his head, was admitted to the District Hospital, Tamenglong for treatment.
Several attempts to contact the ZUF leaders by NNN proved futile to ascertain the reports.
Officially, it has been confirmed from the police about today's shoot out in Tamenglong district but it has not been confirmed officially the claims made by the NSCN-IM.
Tamenglong police and 13 Assam Rifles rushed to the spot.
Many houses of Phalong village were also reportedly suffered damage from the explosion of bombs and bullets fired during the gun-battle.
Many villagers of Phalong village, who fled for their lives, were also reportedly displaced and missing.