8 Assam Rifles jawans killed by the Militants in Nagaland

KOHIMA/GUWAHATI: At least eight Assam Rifles personnels have been killed and six others injured in an ambush by suspected NSCN (K) militants in Mon district of Nagaland on Sunday afternoon. Four other jawans of the paramilitary force are reported missing.

A security source said, “A group of 18 jawans of 23rd Assam Rifles was travelling in a truck to fetch water from a stream near Changlangsu village at around 2.30 pm when they were ambushed upon by militants, who we suspect are NSCN (K) cadres. Three jawans died instantly and reinforcements were rushed in immediately. There was retaliatory firing from Assam Rifles and reports received so far say that eight jawans and a militant have died. Six jawans have also sustained injuries and four others are missing.”

This is the second attack by NSCN (K) since the outfit pulled out of a 15-year old ceasefire agreement with the centre last month.

On April 2, three army jawans were killed and three others wounded when NSCN (K) ambushed an army convoy in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district.

On Saturday last four NSCN-K cadres were killed in an encounter with Army at Kamlengching village under Nungba police station in Tamenglong district.

The centre has recently cancelled the ceasefire agreement with NSCN (K) and refused to extend it further. The Ministry of home affairs said in a statement that it will not engage with National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) any longer in the Naga peace process. Though the agreement between the Centre and NSCN (K) was signed in 2001, the two sides are yet to start a political dialogue.

Last month, NSCN (K) chairman SS Khaplang had abrogated the ceasefire saying, “The 14 years of ceasefire between NSCN (K) and New Delhi has become a mockery and a futile exercise.” The Centre has also signed a ceasefire agreement with the NSCN (Reformation) faction.

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Source:Timesofindia