Security forces in Manipur’s Churachandpur district have recovered several foreign-made rifles and other arms following the killing of four armed cadres of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) in an encounter, officials said on Wednesday.
A defence spokesman said that after the operation against the UKNA militants, the forces recovered sophisticated foreign-made weapons and other materials during a search in the Khanpi-Henglep region of Churachandpur district.
The recovered weapons included one 7.62 mm self-loading rifle, one AK-56, one MA4 MK II rifle, one under-barrel grenade launcher with magazines, three single-barrel rifles, ammunition, bulletproof jackets, tactical vests, Motorola communication sets and other warlike stores belonging to the armed cadres.
According to the spokesman, the well-coordinated intelligence-based operation was launched in response to growing atrocities committed by the UKNA, including the recent killing of a village chief in Henglep, widespread intimidation and extortion of civilians, schools and financial institutions. The group had been demanding amounts ranging from Rs 5 to 50 lakh.
The UKNA, a banned insurgent outfit, operates mainly in the hill districts of Manipur. It is not a signatory to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, unlike several other Kuki and Zomi groups that entered into ceasefire arrangements with the Government of India and the Manipur government in August 2008.
Known for its involvement in armed violence, extortion and disruption of public life, the UKNA has long been considered a major threat to peace and stability in the region, the defence spokesman added.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the operation was launched early Tuesday morning in the Khanpi and Henglep region. Security forces detected movement of armed insurgents in the general area of Khanpi and called on them to surrender peacefully. However, the heavily armed UKNA cadres opened indiscriminate fire on the security team, injuring three personnel. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, four UKNA cadres were killed.
Following the encounter, the forces conducted extensive search operations in the area. During the sweep, a column of the Assam Rifles discovered and destroyed a UKNA camp, recovering three single-barrel rifles, bulletproof jackets, tactical vests, Motorola communication sets and other arms and materials.
The defence spokesman said the successful operation reflects the unwavering commitment of security forces to safeguard innocent lives and restore peace and stability in Manipur.
Also Read : Kuki militants kill village chief in Manipur, probe on
Meanwhile, earlier on July 22, a fratricide incident between the UKNA and the Chin Kuki Mizo Army (CKMA) resulted in the deaths of at least five CKMA cadres in a fierce gun battle in Manipur’s Noney district.
A Manipur police official in Imphal said that the clash took place at Daveijang jungle areas near Longpi village in Noney district, where five militants of the CKMA were gunned down. The mountainous area is extremely remote with limited communication facilities.
Like the UKNA, the CKMA has not signed the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the government. The CKMA is a newly formed militant outfit, and the motive for the July gunfight is believed to be a leadership dispute. The outlawed UKNA later claimed responsibility for the attack.
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