Jawan killed in encounter with N-E rebels

Guwahati: An Army soldier was killed in an encounter with heavily-armed militants of United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) and Coordination Committee (CorCom) of Manipur in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday.

The encounter took place after an IED blast by Ulfa(I) militants, targeting an Army convoy in between Nongtau Khamti and Piyong area under Namsai district. Though the Army convoy escaped the IED blast, a civilian vehicle following the Army convoy was damaged.

Security sources told this newspaper that Army convoy came under attack when they were returning after conducting an operation against the militants in the Ignaou area.

11 Granadiers regiment, which came under attack, immediately launched counter offensive after the IED blast.

Security sources said that militants, who were hiding in nearby forest area, were fired upon by Army soldiers. In the exchange of fire, an Army soldier suffered fatal injury and died on way to hospital, security sources said, adding that additional reinforcements was rushed to the area and a well-coordinated counter-insurgency operation has been launched.

Pointing out that the forces have been alerted about the presence of militants in the area, security sources said that a joint team of Ulfa(I) and CorCom militant was camping in the area to launch offensive in the run up to the Republic Day’s celebrations in Assam.

The joint group of Ulfa(I) and CorCom was operating in the area since December last year and was involved in kidnapping and extortion in the area, security sources said.

Defence spokesperson Col. Sumeet Newton also confirmed the death of an Army soldier in an encounter.