Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Kohima, October 03:
Four persons including two civilians died on the spot while another civilian sustained bullet injury as unidentified gunmen ambushed their vehicle along AG road in broad day light at Kohima today at around 12.55 pm.
Sources revealed that five persons suspected to be NSCN-IM cadres coming upward from AG road side towards Mohonkhola in a jeep (NLN-1474) were ambushed by their rival faction killing four of them and injuring one.
Four of the victims were seated on the front row while another person in the rear seat managed to escape despite suffering bullet injury.
NSCN-K sources claiming responsibility for the attack over phone declared that their cadres had ambushed them and also seized a small arm with ammunition.
However, official sources revealing the victims' identities said that two of the victims and the one injured were student and political leaders.
The four demised persons have been identified as 'ss sgt maj' Avoyi of NSCN-IM, Kevetso former Leacy of Chakhesang region, Kezhonyozo, Education Chairman, RD Block Kikruma and Vechikho, games & sports secretary of Chakhesang Students' Union while the injured is one Vetovo, Vice President, NPF Youth Wing.
Sources also revealed that Vechikho is the younger brother of Avoyi.
All the victims hailed from Kikruma village under Pfutsero sub-division of Phek district.
The injured person was rushed to the nearby hospital by the public and is said to out of danger.
Police have recovered a total of 39 empty cases of assorted ammunition fired by the assailants from sophisticated weapons which include 23 empty-case of AK 47, 13 empty cases of 7.65 pistol, two empty-cases of 9 MM pistol, 1 empty case of M20, one miss-fired M20 ammunition and a bullet head of AK47.