IMPHAL, November 12: A fierce gun battle ensued between cadres of NSCN-IM and Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) this afternoon in Balock part one around 17 km east of Tamenglong district head quarter, reports said.
Both sides have made claims of inflicting casualty on their rivals though none has been officially confirmed.
According to police sources, heavy exchange of fire broke out between the militants around 12:45 pm and soon afterwards a combined team of Tamenglong police and 13 Assam Rifles rushed to the area. However, the police sources could not confirm the casualties till the filing of this report.
It has been informed that the place of occurrence is a rugged hill top about 3 km walking distance from foot hill.
Another source informed that the encounter lasted till late in the evening around 5:30 pm.
The same source disclosed that at least a cadre of NSCN-IM, identified as Hormi, aged around 23, (private), was injured and hospitalized at district hospital.
Meanwhile, Newmai News Network said that three militants were reportedly killed and scores injured in the armed confrontation.
According to NNN, the NSCN-IM has claimed that the three deceased were from the ZUF.
According to NSCN-IM leaders when contacted, the ZUF cadres launched attacks on the NSCN-IM cadres from two sides near the hill-lock of Bhalok village, the NNN report continued.
“Explosives were also used in the attacks. Due to the explosions, an NSCN-IM cadre was injured, said the NSCN-IM source in the NNN report.
The NSCN (IM) leader also claimed that two weapons belonging to the rivals were also recovered, continued the NNN.
Meanwhile, the fusillade of firing also informed that the gun-fight also reportedly inflicted damages to some houses located at the area.
The firing only stopped only when the public intervenes made a publicity drive using public announcement system, said the sources.
Another report reaching here stated that at least a cadre of the NSCN-IM was killed during the gun fight and two civilians were injured.
According to the NSCN-IM, their cadres were heading for the Bhalok hills from Khebuching this morning, the NNN report said before quoting the NSCN (IM) leaders “And it appeared that these ZUF cadres were pursuing us from two sides and launched attacks near Bhalok.”