Four URF cadres held in search ops
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 13 2015: Security forces launched a massive search operation at Old Laljang village in Senapati district to arrest underground cadres today.

Acting on a reliable information about the presence of URF cadres and Kuki militants in the village, located around 8 kms southwest of Senapati district headquarters, a combined police team of Imphal West and Senapati districts and troops of 25 Assam Rifles launched the operation at around 5 am.

Sources said that the operation continued till the time of filing this report and four URF (Lanheiba) cadres have been arrested.

One AK rifle, one 5.56 American auto M-16 rifle, one A1 automatic rifle and a huge cache of ammunition were seized.

Security personnel at the site of the search operation

The operation was conducted under the supervision of Imphal West Additional SP (Operations) Th Vikram, Senapati Additional SP Md Zakhir and Imphal West Commando OC P Sanjoy.

Another source said that of the four arrested UG cadres, two of them are KNO/KNA cadres while the remaining two are URF (Lanheiba) men.

On the other hand, another unconfirmed report claimed that all the four arrested persons are URF (Lanheiba) cadres and a hideout of the outfit was busted in the operation.

Local sources said that sounds of gunfire were heard in the village at around 6 am and 8 am today.

Kuki Taphou villagers disclosed that, among the four arrested by the combined forces included one innocent civilian identified as L.Lamjahao aged 23 years s/o Letjang who is a shaktiman driver by profession.

He is married with one child, it stated.

Villagers also mentioned that, some houses were searched during the operation and the forces remained within the vicinity of the village till late hours.

It may be noted that, last month on 17th December 17, police commandos and 25 AR personnel had also raided Kalijang village where suspected KCP cadres with arms were sheltering with some local militant groups.

During the said operation one KCP cadre identified as Badal Kamei, a self styled lieutenant, was nabbed during the early hours.

Some shots were also fired but reports of any injury or casualty were not reported, reports The Hornbill Express.