GUWAHATI: In an encounter in the Betcamp area under the jurisdiction of the Miao Police Station in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, a suspected militant was shot dead by the personnel of the 11 Assam Rifles on Thursday morning.
The deceased militant has been identified as Thongchi. Current suspicions from officials are leaning towards Thongchi being a member of the banned outfit, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN). The security personnel also recovered a pistol from the site.
The gun battle ensued when two armed militants opened fire on a patrolling party of security personnel during their routine watch in the region. Quick on their response, the troopers retaliated, leading to the exchange of bullets.
One militant was killed while the other, still unidentified, managed to flee and remains on the run. The area is now being scoured to apprehend the militant.
The region’s persistent challenge involving the NSCN (K-YA) has remained a top priority for security forces over an extended period.
Earlier this year, in January, a collaborative effort between the 19 Assam Rifles and the Arunachal Pradesh police resulted in the apprehension of an NSCN (K-YA) operative, along with an associate categorized as an over ground worker (OGW), within the Nampong circle of Changlang district.
During the interrogation of the detained operative, crucial information came to light. It was revealed that a significant stockpile of arms and ammunition, belonging to the outlawed militant organization, had been concealed in the dense jungle terrain of Old Longchong, situated within the Rima Putak circle.
