Fireworks in Tamenglong: AR-ZUF exchange fire, CRPF camp attacked
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Daniel Kamei / NNN
Tamenglong, January 10 2014 :
Security forces and suspected ZUF militants engaged in intermittent gun-battles for about two hours at two separate places under Noney Police Station in Manipur's hill district Tamenglong early Friday.
Police reports said here that an exchange of fire took place between a combined team of 9th Dogra Regiment and 10 Assam Rifles and armed cadres of the militant group, Zeliangrong United Front/ Zeliangrong Tiger Force at Langkhong Khunthak.
The gun-battle that started around 5 am continued till 7 am.
They, however, said casualty report was unconfirmed till late evening.
However, quoting intelligence source, our Tamenglong correspondent reported that one cadre of ZUF identified as HP Gonmei of Taosang village was killed and two others injured in the encounter.
The combined team also reportedly recovered some arms and ammunitions of the Zeliangrong Tiger Force.
However, Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) denied any casualty or seizure of arms and ammunition belonging to it by the combined force.
The police reports also said the gun-battle ensued after the AR troops spotted a group of camouflaged militants moving close to their route on the hill side which prompted them to launch a sudden attack on the militants.
The militants also returned the fire.
Both sides sporadically exchanged fire for about two hours.
Meanwhile, the ZUF militants fleeing from the AR attack at Langkhong Khunthak launched a retaliatory attack on their way at 143 Battalion CRPF camp in Irang around 7 am.
The militants reportedly hurled hand grenades and used sophisticated weapons in the attack.
The CRPF personnel in retaliation fire several rounds, resulting in an encounter.
No casualty was reported in the second encounter too.
Irang is located about 6 km from Noney Police Station.
On the other hand, the ZUF has expressed its regret and termed the incident as unfortunate which had occurred near Upper Langkhung village, Tamenglong district.
"Against the interest of the Front during the festive season of Christmas, New Year and Gaan-Ngai for peace and good will, the courageous boys were, however, provoked by the unidentified AR-ZUF exchange fire, CRPF camp attacked appearance of uniformed and armed cadres in the vicinity.
We were compelled to defend our camp and the encounter took place in the early morning.
There is no casualty in our side," the ZUF claimed.
According to A Dangmei Information Secretary of the outfit, the security force first fired at the Zeliangrong Tiger Force and the cadres retaliated and fired only few rounds and escaped from the site.
There was no casualty on the side of Zeliangrong Tiger Force, he added.
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