Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 10:
The proscribed UNLF today claimed 22 Indian security personnel including two officers were killed while scores were injured in four separate encounters with the MPA cadres; at Churachandpur and Chandel districts.
Speaking to the press, a spokesman of the outfit said that the Indian security force used two helicopters in the encounter at Churachandpur.
Sources said that numerous helicopters could be seen flying in the skies of Chandel and Churachandpur districts today.
The first two encounters ensued at a spot between Phoilen and Chalyang villages on the Old Somtal-Joupi road in Chandel district, said the spokesman.
The first, encounter took place at 10 am today.
Three security personnel were killed in the encounter, claimed the spokesman and added that the security personnel beat a hasty retreat after suffering the reverses.
Additional reinforcements were called in by the security personnel, said the spokesman but the well positioned MPA cadres did not allow them to proceed further.
However the security personnel again tried to make their way through with more forces and a fierce gun fight ensued at the same spot again.
Two more security personnel were killed in the second face off, claimed the spokesman further.
The third encounter took place at a place called Thinkiu in Henglep sub-division of CCpur district.
This place is located about an hour walk away from the place known as Panshang, where a fierce encounter had occurred between the MPA and the Indian security force a few days back, said the spokesman.
The encounter started at about 10.30 am and stretched on till about 3 pm, informed the spokesman and added that the security personnel suffered major casualties.
The spokesman further said that the third encounter took place when the Indian security personnel tried to make their way to Singbaul Lamkhai in two columns.
Five helicopters were used by the Indian army in the long encounter, said the spokesman and added that the security personnel sprayed bullets from the choppers to beat back the MPA cadres.
However the MPA cadres stood their ground and in the ensuing gun fight 12 security personnel were killed, claimed the spokesman further.
Eight others were also injured in the shoot out.
The fourth encounter took place at Sehlon in Chandel district, where a fierce encounter had earlier occurred between the security force and the MPA cadres.
The security personnel were trying to lay the road to transport water to their camp, when they were taken unaware by a mine bomb known as Claimers, said the spokesman.
Simultaneously, the MPA cadres also launched a full fledged offensive and five personnel including two officers were killed while many others were injured, claimed the spokesman.
The spokesman admitted that one MPA cadre was killed in an encounter with the security personnel at a spot in between Phoipi hills and Henyan village in Churachandpur district yesterday.