At least 8 killed in Army-NSCN (K) encounter along Indo-Myanmar border
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 28 2015 : At least eight persons have been confirmed killed and two women injured in an exchange of fire between Indian security forces and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (SS Khaplang faction) or NSCN (K) cadres near the International Trade Centre along Indo-Myanmar border, Pangsha village area, located 30 km away from Noklak division of Tuensang District in Eastern Nagaland.

However, the exact identifies of the victims and the nature of the encounter could not be ascertained till the filing of this report.

Whether the victims were NSCN (K) members or not was yet to be confirmed.

Reports reaching here suggested that one of the injured victims was the wife of the NSCN (K) leader Isak Sumi.

Sources informed Hueiyen Lanpao that as of now eight people have been confirmed killed and two injured.

It is said that due to poor communication and connectivity problem in Tuensang, the exact report was a little sketchy.

The encounter took place around 1.30 pm on Friday when the Indian security forces "ambushed" a group of NSCN (K) cadres near the international border.

It is reported that Indian security forces killed seven persons in the firing and injured three others.

Later, one of the injured persons succumbed to the injuries, the source added.

Meanwhile, IGAR (N) in a press release issued on Friday stated that "in a major successful operation at Pangsha in Tuensang district of Nagaland, the security forces neutralized seven cadres of the NSCN (Khaplang), including one woman cadre, in an exchange of fire between the two groups" .

The AR statement informed that the security personnel were carrying out "routine domination of the border area" along the Pangsha town when they saw "one motorcycle, one Gypsy and one Bolero vehicle" approaching along the road.

"Just as the security force patrol asked the motorcycle to halt for checking, there was intense firing from the Gypsy and Bolero vehicles which were following behind.

"The security forces retaliated with equal fire power and in the ensuing fire fight, seven cadres of NSCN (K) were neutralized, and three Over Ground Workers (OGWs) were injured.

The security forces displayed a very higher order of restraint and fire discipline to ensure that the OGWs did not suffer fatal injuries during the fire fight" .

IGAR (N) however did not specify who were the injured while adding that a large cache of arms and ammunition had been recovered from the NSCK (K) side.

One soldier of security forces was also injured in the firing from NSCN (K), said the release.

It has also been reported that those killed were preparing to receive Naga Mothers Association (NMA) � whose peace team comprising of four members reached Tuensang.

NMA after the receiving the news has questioned the action of the Indian security forces and asked if they really wanted peace or not by resorting to such an action.

NMA has conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members.

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