Imphal: An insurgent linked to a 2017 ambush on the Assam Rifles was arrested in Manipur on Sunday, police said.
A joint team of the Manipur Police, CRPF and Assam Rifles arrested 45-year-old Koijam Ibochouba alias Inao alias Sumo alias Pansareng, a self-styled major of the Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA), from a house in Sagolband in Imphal West, they said.
The ambush allegedly targeted a road-opening party of the 4th Assam Rifles on the Chamol–Sajir Tampak road in Chandel district, according to the NIA, which is investigating the case.
The attack was reportedly carried out by the PLA and the Manipur Naga People’s Front (MNPF), the agency said.
Two Assam Rifles personnel were seriously injured in the ambush, and one of them later succumbed to his injuries. Two terrorists were also killed in the action.
Based on information provided by the arrested insurgent, police recovered a cache of arms and ammunition buried in a plastic drum at a farm in Kharungpat, Kakching district.
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The haul included an M-16 rifle, eight SLR rifles, a .303 LMG, two .303 rifles, 190 rounds of Amogh carbine ammunition, a detonator, 32 SLR magazines, four 7.62 LMG magazines, three .303 magazines, three mortars and two IEDs, the police said.
