IMPHAL, January 10: 22 Grenadiers of 26 Sector Assam Rifles under IGAR (s) have foiled a major infiltration bid today along the international border in the general area of Khumkot of Khengjoi area and killed one hard-core militant cadre and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition stated a PRO IGAR (s) release.
Meanwhile, an unconfirmed source has informed that at least one militant suspected to be MPA cadre was killed while three jawans of the 22 Grenadier Regiment were reportedly injured during a gun battle that occured at the border area under Molcham police station in Chandel district.
According to a source, an intense gun battle between Manipur based militants and a column of the Indian Army took place at Khongpat village under Molcham police station in Chandel district.
During the intense gun battle one militant was killed while three jawans of the Indian Army were injured, the source added.
The PRO IGAR (s) statement has further informed that troops of Assam Rifles have been on high alert and maintaining strict vigilance along the international border considering that the CorCom in its plan to disturb the peaceful conduct of the ensuing general election in the state has been making numerous attempts to infiltrate along the international borders.
On January 10, 22 grenadiers of 26 sector AR foiled an infiltration bid of a heavily armed militant groups while trying to crossed the international border in the general area of Khumkot of Khengjoi area, killing one militant cadre.
The troop also recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunitions including one Lathode, one 7.62 mm Pistol with Mag, one Auto Rif (broken), one 7.62 mm live rds, one Bushnell Binocular and 10 Kgs of White Explosive, the statement further added.
It has further added that troops of AR have foiled two such infiltration attempts made by various groups in recent times.
In the first incident, 37 AR foiled attempts made by militant cadres to infiltrate from Aibol Kuki area near the international border on December 24, 2011. The militants on being challenged and engaged with effective firing, ran back towards their camp across international border in Myanmar, the statement added.
The second infiltration bid of the militants which were foiled happened on January 7, when 35 AR had apprehended three UNLF cadres with huge arms and ammunitions while trying to infiltrate into the valley via Sajik Tampak from Kholmunlen area.
The Assam Rifles has adopted an enhanced anti infiltration measures and continue to maintain a strict vigil on the activities of cor com of Under Ground groups and are determined to foil any attempt or activities which might disrupt democratic process, it added.