Manipur ambush: Key NSCN(K) leader involved in killing of 18 Army personnel arrested by NIA

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency has arrested commander of National Socialist Council of Nagaland – Khaplang who allegedly orchestrated the dastardly attacks in Manipur on June 4, reports claimed on Monday.

According to initial reports, the NIA has arrested Khumlo Abi Anal – NSCN(K) regional commander – from Chandel district where the militants had ambushed the Indian Army convoy earlier in the month, killing at least 18 soldiers.

Using rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) and automatic weapons, a group of insurgents on June 04, ambushed a military convoy killing at least 18 army personnel in the worst such attack in recent years.

A team of 6 Dogra Regiment was on a road opening patrol (ROP) as part of its daily routine along Tengnoupal-New Samtal road, about 80 km from Imphal, when it was attacked by an unidentified insurgent outfit first with a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED), a police official said in Imphal.

After the IED blast, the insurgents resorted to heavy firing at the convoy of four Army vehicles with RPGs and automatic weapons, Army sources said in Delhi.

Later in retaliation, special forces of the Indian Army carried out a surgical strike inside Myanmar, slaying about 15 insurgents of the groups believed to be responsible for the ambush.

The strike was carried out by commandos on specific intelligence input in coordination with Myanmarese authorities, with the Army saying that "significant casualties" had been inflicted on two militant groups believed to be NSCN(K) and KYKL.

(With Agency inputs)