IMPHAL, June 9: A fierce gun-fight broke out between a combined team of underground outfits and the army this early morning along the Indo-Myanmar border in Ukhrul district.
The gun-fight broke out during the massive combing operation conducted by the Army in the wake of the June 4 ambush.
A PIB Defence Wing statement has also claimed of the army being engaged in clashes with separate insurgent groups along the Indo-Myanmar border at two locations today.
According to reports from the Ukhrul district Police, the fierce battle between heavily armed cadres of UG outfits and the security forces took place near Ningshom Village under Kamjong sub-division in Ukhrul district.
The encounter site is around 60 km from the Chasad Police Station towards the Myanmar border, according to the police report.
The Ukhrul District Police headquarter received information through the Chassad Police Station of the gun-fight only around 11:15am although the two sides had exchanged fire since early morning and lasted for a few hours.
However, there is no official confirmation of casualties till the filing of this report.
Meanwhile, according to a press release issued by the PIB, Ministry of Defence, additional Director General of Military Operations (A) Major General Ranbir Singh, had read out the army`™s statement on the operations carried out in the North East.
He had said `You are all aware that following the attack on our security personnel on June 4 in Chandel, Manipur, we have been on a high alert. In the course of the last few days, credible and specific intelligence was received about further attacks that were being planned within our territory.`
`These attacks were to be carried out by some of the groups involved in earlier attacks on our security personnel and their allies.`
`In view of the imminent threat, an immediate response was necessary. Based on intelligence, we conducted operations to counter these planned assaults.`
`Early this morning, the Indian Army engaged two separate groups of insurgents along the Indo- Myanmar border at two locations, along the Nagaland and Manipur borders. Significant casualties have been inflicted on them. As a consequence, threats to our civilian population and security forces were averted.
Further according to the statement, Major general Ranbir Singh had said `We are in communication with the Myanmar authorities on this matter. There is a history of close cooperation between our two militaries. We look forward to working with them to combat such terrorism.`
`While ensuring peace and tranquility along the border and in the border states, any threat to our security, safety and national integrity will meet a firm response` he said according to the statement.
