Security forces on Tuesday night gunned down two militant cadres belonging to an unknown group in Ukhrul district of Manipur, and recovered from their possession one AK-56 rifle and some ammunition. In Nagaland on the other hand security forces have busted an illegal arms manufacturing unit allegedly run by the NSCN(IM).

A press release issued by the Assam Rifles said troops of the 44 Assam Rifles gunned down the two militants during an operation launched in Grihang and Kamjong areas in Ukhrul district on Tuesday evening. While the troops saw three armed militants and asked them to stop, they opened fire, prompting the jawans to retaliate.

“While two of the underground elements were killed on the spot, the third managed to escape under cover of darkness. One AK-56 rifle along with magazine, 12 live rounds of 7.62mm and five fired cases of 7.62mm have been recovered from the spot,” the press release said. The bodies, identities of which were yet to be confirmed, were later handed over to the police, it said.

Meanwhile, troops of the Assam Rifles on Wednesday also busted an illegal arms manufacturing unit that was set up by the NSCN(IM) in the outskirts of Dimapur in Nagaland. Official sources said troops of the 18 Assam Rifles, in a joint operation with the state police also apprehended one NSCN(IM) cadre – identified as Simon Yepthomi – and recovered one 7.65 mm pistol, 36 rounds assorted ammunitions, weapon spare parts, tools, and incriminating documents from his possession. The militant cadre was also selling such illegal weapons in Dimapur, it said.

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