Assam Rifles shoots two NSCN-K cadres in Nagaland

While such whirlwind hectic discussions were going on July 16 and 17 at National Capital, the news of killing of two NSCN (K) cadres by the Assam Rifles troops in Avangkhu and the controversial and mysterious subsequent killing of two young students at Phor Village under Nagaland’s Meluri Sub-Division created tense and highly insecure environment in the region.

Two school students, a boy and a girl, died while an elderly woman was injured after Assam Rifles personnel fired on a group of villagers who allegedly attacked them at Phor village in Meluri subdivision of Nagaland’s Phek district this evening.

The Army spokesperson said, “During the operation, the security forces came face to face with a group of armed NSCN-K cadre”.

“Both militants were in uniform and in possession of rifles including one AK-47”.

According to PRO, IGAR (N), the SF party had rushed to Avangkhu area and Pokhungri village on July 15 to ascertain facts after taking serious note of concerns expressed by officials at the July 8 security coordination meeting over “kidnapping and forced recruitment of school boys”.

“This operation has been carried out in support of the local population, who were being compelled by the NSCN (K) to join the outfit”.

An Army officer was shot in his leg during the operation.

Sources said one of the slain militants was identified was identified as Puhachu, a captain of the outfit hailing from Wuzu village located adjacent to Phor village, while the other is said to be an Eastern Naga (a Naga from Burma). It is not known if there are any injured, sources said. Two civilians were also killed in the gunbattle along the India-Myanmar border.

The situation in the area was reported to be tense after the death of the two students.

When the firing stopped, the jawans recovered the two bodies.