Tinsukia: Two militants of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-KYA) have been killed in an encounter with a joint team of Assam Rifles and the state police department inside Kottam forest in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh.
According to sources, based on intelligence input about the presence of a group of militants inside the forest area, a joint operation was planned. “A column of Assam Rifles personnel along with Tirap police were launched on Wednesday and after hours of search operation contact was established with the militants,” the sources said.
“On being challenged, the militants opened fire and two of them were killed in retaliatory firing,” sources said, adding, “Security forces have recovered two automatic assault rifles — an MQ series rifle and an M-16 rifle — a 9mm pistol, two country-made guns, one Chinese hand grenade, three live rounds of RPG, two magazines of AK 47, magazine of M series rifles, huge quantity of live ammunition, Indian and Myanmarese currency and other personal belongings.”
Sources are yet to ascertain the identity of the militants killed in the encounter but their affiliation with the terror outfit NSCN-KYA has been confirmed.
Attempts to speak with Tirap SP K Riba turned futile.
Sources said that the insurgent group led by self-styled “commander” of Tirap belt, Captain Rocky Thapa, were involved in extortion in the form of house rent besides threatening contractors engaged in road construction work. “Search for others are underway,” the sources added.
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