May 23 encounters AR furnishes their side of the story
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 24 2015 : Assam Rifles have come up with their side of the story regarding the encounter that reportedly broke out at Bongbal Khullen in Senapati district yesterday.

A statement issued by the PRO Hqs IGAR (S) claimed that the incident happened at Hingojang in Ukhrul district and all the deceased were UG cadres.

It further said that based on the information provided by reliable sources regarding the presence of armed UG cadres at Hingojang village, a joint operation was launched by troops of 11 PARA (SF) and 2 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector AR under the aegis of Hqs IGAR (South) .

The joint team carried out surveillance for about 24 hours on May 22 and 23 .

During the surveillance, the troops of 11 PARA (SF) observed eight to nine armed cadres in the vicinity of an under construction building, the statement said and added that the surveillance detachment also observed three out of the nine cadres entering a house in Hingojang village.

At around 9.40 am on May 23, a UG cadre opened fire indiscriminately on the security forces when they tried to enter the village.

The security team immediately retaliated and the armed cadre was neutralized at the spot, the statement said.

Saying that the rest of the cadres started running towards different directions after hearing the sounds of gunfire, the statement said that two UG cadres who ran towards the security team were also neutralized immediately.

Some cadres who ran in other directions managed to escape and they were not challenged by the security team to avoid further collateral damage, the statement said.

When the joint team started moving towards the UG cadres, they resorted to heavy firing towards security forces using automatic weapons including AK-47, M-16 and lathode for approximately 30-40 minutes.

During this time, some cadres went towards the slain UG cadres and tried to drag the bodies, the statement said and added that they were however prevented from doing so by effective yet controlled firing of security forces.

Later, a part of the security team entered the village and the remaining troops conducted a search operation at the area from where the UGs opened fire towards security forces.

During the search operation, a cadre, who carried a bag containing two crude IEDs and several rounds of 7.62 mm calibre, was apprehended from the area.

He has been identified as Army No 6 self styled sergeant Luhaban alias Apam of MNRF (Alan).

He is the son of S Ngachun of Kasom Khunou in Ukhrul district.

Later, the security forces reported the incident to Yairipok police station, the statement added.

SDPO Yairipok along with a team of Yairipok police station and Thoubal district police commandos, led by Inspector Anand reached the incident site later.

The joint team recovered some warlike stores and weapons lying near the bodies and hill areas.

The statement said that the deceased persons were identified by the villagers as Nameirakpam Rajen Singh of MNRF (Alan), s/o N Mohindro Singh of Sunusiphai Awang Leikai in Bishnupur district, self styled Sgt Phakuiring Khongyo alias Akhui of MNRF (Alan) of Pungpum Wanglee in Ukhrul district and Poulin Khongsai of KNF (Nehlun) of Hingojan in Senapati district.

One 9 mm Berretta and magazine, two 7.62 mm pistols and magazine, three IEDs, 16 electric detonators, 28 bullets of 9 mm pistol, 21 bullets of 7.62 mm pistol, 156 live rounds of 7.62 mm AK 47, 21 live rounds of 5.56 mm M-16, 23 fired cases of 7.62 mm AK 47, 15 fired cases of 5.56 mm M 16 and seven fired cases of 40 mm of lathod were recovered from the area.

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