NSCM (IM) militant killed in encounter

ITANAGAR, 14 Sep: An NSCN (IM) militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in Changlang district on Wednesday night, officials said.

“The militant was killed in a gunfight in Kali mandir area that falls under Miao police station,” Changlang DC Sunny Singh informed on Thursday.

The rebel was killed by personnel of the 11 Assam Rifles during an exchange of fire that broke out after two armed militants of the outfit shot at a patrolling party which was moving from Miao Ghat to Dharampur via Kali Mandir, officials said.

On spotting the militants, personnel of the Assam Rifles challenged them. The rebels opened fire with a 9mm pistol and a bullet hit the spare wheel of a vehicle of the security forces, the DC said.

“On retaliation by the troops of 11 Assam Rifles, a militant was killed on the spot, while the other fled in the cover of darkness,” Singh said.

A pistol along with the body of the slain rebel was recovered from the encounter site. However, the identity of the dead insurgent is yet to be established, officials said.

Meanwhile, the district administration has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.

The DC in an executive order directed EAC AJ Lungphi to conduct the magisterial inquiry into the incident as per the revised guidelines issued by the National Human Rights Commission in cases of death caused in security forces action, and to submit the report to him within four weeks. (PTI)