Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 30:
Asserting that with the cooperation of the people of Manipur the United National Liberation Front has galvanized its man-power and arsenal to dent aspirations of Indian security forces the underground organization said its cadres have already launched offensive against its adversary forces.
Observing that the �Operation All clear� of the Indian forces is being launch-ed to corner the under- ground organizations to compromise its stand and embrace �peace talks�, assistant secretary (publicity) of Central Committee Secretariat, UNLF said in a press statement today that nefarious design of Indian forces would not materialize under any circumstances.
Informing that the outfit had begun counter-offensive as soon the �Operation All Clear� was activated in October, the statement said on October 10 personnel of the 9 Para Field Regiment were engaged in a fierce battle by a special force of MPA in a thickly forested area located between Borobegra and Lalthingkhal villages of Jiribam sub-division.
During the encounter led by the MPA section�s second in command Thingujam Kokchai alias Matum Athouba of Khongnang Pheidekpi a havildar of the Regiment perished.
At Chandel district�s Sellon village in Dingpi area another MPA team attac-ked and killed an enemy soldier at the encounter spot on October 21 while several others suffered injuries, the assistant secretary recalled.
Another fierce encounter ensued between an MPA team and Indian security force personnel on October 25 at Sajik Tampak and Dingpi area where the attackers using bomb traps and inflicted heavy casualties and injuries to many security personnel.
In the Sajik offensive an Army Major was killed while the leg of an Army Lieutenant had to be amputated in the Dingpi area clash, it said adding that over 10 personnel also suffered injuries.
Informing that from the Army side field guns and two helicopters were used, the statement also claimed of civilian doctors having treated the seriously injured personnel at Moreh as the Army doctors could not attend to the injured.
A special fighting patrol of the MPA also ambushed a column of 19 Rajput Rifles at Hengkot village of Churachandpur district on October 26 morning wherein one personnel died instantly and over seven others wounded.
Later in the afternoon of the same day one personnel of the 5/8 Gurkha Regiment lost his life when the advance column of the Regiment came under attack at near Phoibi Ching located nine kilometres from Henglep sub-division.
There was no casualty on the MPA side in both the attacks, the statement said while informing of an MPA cadre identified as Pte Amom Selloi alias Ranbir s/o A Tomba of Laipham Heinou Uyan succumbing to injuries following technical mishap while preparing for the October 25 Dingpi area bomb attack.
MPA�s Pte Hamom Yairemba alias Sanjoy s/o H Noyonsana of Serou Mayai leikai and Pte Yengkhom Ihul alias Gulap s/o Y Ibohal of Tentha Heibung and a KCP cadre also got killed in accidental bomb blast at the Unit Hqs, conveyed the statement.
It also claimed that another of its cadre named as Sanabam Maanba s/o S Nodiyachand of Yairipok Yambem Leikai was killed by Indian Army personnel after capture from Chingmeirong area on October 28.