Dibrugarh: Two NSCN militants were killed during a joint counter-insurgency operation by security forces near Songking village under Miao police station in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district on Tuesday.
Acting on intelligence inputs regarding militant movement in Songking village, the Assam Rifles launched an operation in the area, resulting in the elimination of the two cadres.
Officials said arms and ammunition were also recovered from the encounter site.
According to sources, the operation was launched following reports that NSCN militants had been camping in the area and extorting villagers.
“The NSCN cadres were continuously pressuring villagers to pay extortion money. Security forces received specific inputs and launched a massive combing operation in the area. A fierce gunbattle broke out between the security forces and the militants hiding in the jungle. During the night-long operation, two NSCN cadres were eliminated,” an official source said.
Security forces have launched an extensive search operation in the area.
Meanwhile, another exchange of fire took place between Assam Rifles personnel and militants near Chop village under Wakka circle in Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh on Monday night.
However, no casualties have been reported from either side so far. Further details are awaited.
Sources said extortion remains a major source of funding for militant groups operating in the region, with villagers and businessmen often being threatened for money.
“The Tirap, Longding and Changlang districts of eastern Arunachal Pradesh remain disturbed areas, and most NSCN factions are active there. Local villagers continue to suffer due to the frequent movement and threats posed by militant groups,” a source said.
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