5 IM men killed in ZUF ambush near Nungba
Marathon gun fight ensues till dawn
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 08 2011: Five cadres of the NSCN (IM) were killed in a clinically executed ambush laid by the recently formed Zeliangrong United Front at a spot in between Tonshang and Leishok villages in Nungba sub-division of Tamenglong district, under Khoupum police station.

One civilian driver was also killed in the ambush yesterday evening.

According to a reliable source, the ambush was launched when NSCN (IM) cadres were coming along the way on two Shaktiman trucks to crack down on ZUF cadres who had holed up in the said area.

A source informed The Sangai Express that the IM cadres were on their way towards Noney to drive out the ZUF cadres when they came under attack.

The ZUF cadres who had positioned themselves for the ambush let loose a volley of fire on seeing the approaching Shaktiman trucks carrying the IM cadres at about 7 pm yesterday, said the source and added that a fierce gun fight ensued.

The gun fight ensued till the wee hours of today.

Tamenglong district and Nungba where the incident occured

Five NSCN (IM) cadres, including a S/S sgt major died in the encounter while the driver of one of the Shaktiman trucks also passed away.

Five other IM cadres are believed to have been injured in the shoot out.

The five cadres of the NSCN (IM) who passed away in the gun fight have been identified as Kadun Maring of Langol village and RD Punsi Anal of Kamathel village both from Chandel district, Soreingam of Shingya village, Ukhrul district, Albert of Phaibung village and Hingba of Maram Khullen, both from Senapati district.

Soreingam is reported to be the sgt major and was leading the team.

The deceased Shaktiman driver has been identified as Nanao Tarao of Pallel, Chandel district.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Information and Publicity of the Government of the People's Republic of Nagalim has expressed deep shock over the demise of five of its men and one civilian driver in the ambush.

Five other cadres were injured, it admitted in a statement issued to the press today.

The incident occurred at a spot between Taosang village and Leishok village in Nungba sub-division said the statement.

Paying homage to the slain cadres as well as praying for the speedy recovery of the injured ones, the outfit said that it shares the grief and pain of the bereaved family members and prayed to the Almighty to give them the strength to bear the loss.

The GPRN has also extended its gratitude to the Zeliangrong Baudi, Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland), ZSUM, ZYF, ZWUM, Zeliangboudipui, Zeliangrong Students Union, Longmai and social workers of the area and all Village Chairman Associations, Longmai area for the help and assistance rendered.

Strongly condemning the incident, the Zeliangrong Youth Front (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) and All Zeliangrong Students' Union AMN, in a joint statement have appealed to all not to repeat such acts in the future.

Stating that they have been steadfastly against such killings in the past, the joint statement said that such killing is against the interest of the Zeliangrong people in particular and the Nagas in general.

It is unfortunate that such killings should take place now while the Nagas are on the path of reconciliation, averred the joint statement.

The two bodies urged all not to repeat such acts and shun all violence in Zeliangrong areas.