Imphal, August 25: Troops of 128 Bn BSF led by its Commandant today claimed to have busted a camp of the NSCN(IM) stop Ngarian hill under Bishnupur police station in the wee hours of August 24 and apprehended five hardcore members of the outfit including a S/S Major and seized a number of arms and other incriminating documents.

Addressing media persons at 128 Bn BSF camp at Bishnupur this morning, BSF DIG (Manipur and Nagaland sector) PK Mishra said the operation was carried out swiftly and effectively following a tip off.

The militants apprehended during the operation are identified as S/S Major Lavi Zimik alias Tangkhul son of (L) Alega of Lungphu village, Ukhrul district, S/S Second Lt David son of Chinaochin of Lairmkhulaim village, Ukhrul district, S/S Sergeant Major Remangafhan son of Chinaochin of Hoomi village, Ukhrul district, S/S Lance Corporal Peace alias Khamrang son of Phuhgrei of phantang village, Ukhrul district and S/S Pt Bokato son of Khuto of Hoito village, Dimapur.

The BSF official said the five apprehended militants are all hardcore NSCN (IM) activists and added one woman cadre of the KYKL (O) was also apprehended at the area of the operation.

The woman activist is identified as Khumai wife of Maku Singh of Ngarian village, Bishnupur district.

BSF claimed that one AK-56 rifle with one magazine, one .22 rifle one SLR magazine, one Kenwood wireless set, two Chinese made grenades, huge quantity of assorted ammunition, Rs 21,780 few pairs of camouflage dress and Burmese jungle boots were also seized from the apprehended militants along with a video camera and transceiver.

Mishra further said that the camp busted was joint camp of NSCN(IM) and KYKL(O).

He said there were 12 armed cadres of both the outfits at the camp but seven managed to give the slip under cover of darkness through dense undergrowth.

However, the arrested NSCN(IM) activists who were paraded before the media said they were not staying together with KYKL (O) activist and added that the KYKL(O) activist were there at the camp when they (NSCN) activists arrived there.

The DIG said documents seized from the militants reveal the close nexus between the militant group and some senior State officers and organisations that voluntary extend financial assistance to the cadres.

The arrested militants told media persons that they belonged to mobile unit of the outfit and reiterated that they did not stay together with the KYKL (O) activists.

They said they had arrived at the village three days back from Khoupum.

They said they are taken by surprise by the BSF who raided their hideout at about 2.30 am.

They added that seven of their comrades managed to escape in the dark.

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