Dimapur, June 04: In the fierciest gunbattles in Nagaland after the May 16 incident, fifteen cadres of the NSCN factions were killed in separate incidents today in and around Dimapur in clashes between the two warring factions.

With regard to the first incident, there are contradictory reports on the manner in which the clash took place.

While the NSCN-IM claimed that the outfit retaliated to the attack launched by the NSCN-Unification, the latter group said otherwise.

Reports said that cadres of the NSCN-IM heading from Seithikima village exchanged gun fire with the cadres of NSCN-Unification near a village called Aoyim and Xelhozhe killing 12 cadres on the spot.

One has to the injuries later while he was being shifted to a hospital.

The NSCN-IM has claimed that 12 arms have been captured from the rival group.

Following today's incident a mob gathered and torched the house of NSCN-IM Lieutenant Col.Elijah at Purana Bazar in Dimapur today, according to the NSCN-IM.

In the second incident, three NSCN-IM cadres were shot at by the NSCN-Unification cadres at Signal Bosti in Dimapur in which two of them died at the spot while one is fighting for his life at a hospital this evening.

With regard to the first incident, the shoot-out occurred some 14 kilometres away from proper Dimapur which is at the Patkai College area near National Highway 39 .

Reports also said that some seven cadres of the NSCN-Unification were hurt in the clash while two of them are in serious conditions.

So far the identities of the 11 cadres killed in today's incident are 'Corpl.' Ikato of Hokhuzhe, 'Lt.' Hokuto of Vihokhu, 'Sgt.Maj' Avika of Zuheshe, 'Sgt' Samapu of Zuheshe, 'Sgt' Shitopa of Old Showoba, 'Sgt' Vilato of Old Shena, 'Sgt' Huka of Luvishe New, 'Sgt Maj' Vikheto of Kotharu village, 'Capt.' Hekuto of Yemishe village, '2nd Lt.' Kughato of Kotharu village and '2nd Lt.' Kitovi of Satakha while the identity of the last man is yet to be ascertained.

According to the reports, a mass burial for the 12 cadres killed have been arranged at a village called Nehotu.

When Dimapur police rushed to the spot at around 6:30 everything was over.

With the cadres fleeing from the site, they only came across the bodies.

As a follow-up security measure, two/three platoons of IRB have been deployed in the area where Wednesday's clash took place.

In the second incident three cadres of the NSCN factions were shot dead but it could not be to which faction they belonged till the time of filing this report.

It is pertinent to note that 14 cadres of the NSCN-Unification were killed on May 16 in the clash between the two factions near Patkai College.

Following that incident, a mob wave was built up and in the process a civilian was killed.The mob also attacked the NSCN-IM's Cease Fire Monitoring Cell office after the May 16 incident.

Meanwhile, the NSCN-IM in a swift statement said that the "gang members of Kitovi Mulatuno faced second massacre when 13 members died in the encounter at Qhelhozhe Basti when they attack the Naga Army of NSCN in the morning at around 3:30am".In the fierce fight the NSCN-IM also captured 12 arms.

One gang member surrender to Naga Army,and several of them also injured.

The casualty on NSCN side is one injury in the hand, " claimed the NSCN-IM.

The outfit stated that the laid down official guideline to the Naga Army is not to go for offensive.

But once attack the message must be clear that NSCN-IM knows how to take control of any attack under any circumstances.

"The earlier occasion on May 16 2008 was made the first massacre when at Seitikhima C near Patkai Christian College, 24 of the Mulatuno � Kitovi gang members died in the open confrontation.

In that incident too the Naga Army of NSCN was attacked in the morning at 5:30 am.

Though heavily outnumbered, the small force of NSCN routed the gang members and captured 11 arms".

It then stated that out of desperation and panic, "the Mulatuno � Kitovi gang members organized public mob and targeted the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell at Diphupar, Dimapur and partly burnt the building.

Not satisfied, they attack and burnt the houses of 4 Naga Army officials at Diphupar and Wungram Colony.

This was the most demeaning and despicable show of the mob's involvement (mostly Sumis) in the factional fight.

A hue and cry over the massacre that was not of NSCN making.

But this same motley crowd turned this heads away when innocent public including students and chaplain were killed by the same gang who attack NSCN".

"This time too the same pattern was followed.

The hoodlums of this gang of around 9 members with arms attacked the residence of one Lt,Col.Elijah near Purana Bazar and torched the house.

It was however, taken control by the neighboring public and the fire was put off in time", it added.