Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 12:
In a major operation launched by the BSF in Churachandpur district four suspected PLA militants were gunned down and five persons abducted by them were rescued.
The operation codenamed �Operation Lalkar� which began yesterday and concluded early today was carried out at Dampi and Sagang areas.
Some weapons were also recovered.
BSF Manipur and Nagaland DIG PK Mitra told reporters in Imphal this afternoon that he four militants killed during the encounter were members of the PLA.
He said operation Lalkar began at 7 and continued till 3 in the morning today.
The cordon and search operation was launched following information that some PLA militants were present at the area, he said.
He said on getting the information BSF troops surrounded Dampi and Sagang villages.
The BSF troops surrounded suspected PLA hideouts which are located in the nearly hills.
The DIG said that at 3 am today PLA cadres holed up at Dampi fired at the BSF personnel.
He said that after the firing the militants went up the hills.
The BSF party chased them.
While fleeing five abducted persons were freed.
In the seven hour long gunfight three PLA cadres were killed in between Langja and Kamson while another was shot dead not far from the spot.
One was apprehended while the other managed to escape, the DIG said.
Three AK-56 rifles, three magazines, one wireless set and some ammunition were recovered from the slain militants.
The dead bodies have been handed over to Moirang police station.
The DIG further said that 12 BSF companies were engaged in the operation codenamed Lalkar.
The five persons reportedly freed by the PLA told the BSF that they were kidnapped by the militants from their houses at Borayangbi for interrogation on the charge that they are BSF informers.
They are identified as Md Tomba (38), Islaudin (37), Md Adbul Karim (60) Md Sanayai (41) and Md Iboyai (50).They said that when the BSF came to distribute kerosene and other essential items at the village recently Islaudin spoke to the BSF CO as he can speak Hindi and English.