Arunachal: NSCN (IM) and Indian Army Engage in Crossfire, 1 Civilian Killed

Guwahati:

Indian Army personnel and suspected cadres of the Isaak-Muivah faction of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim on May 16 engaged in cross firing in Pumao village of Arunachal Pradesh's Longding district. Several were injured and a local villager was killed in the skirmish, reports said.

After receiving inputs about the presence of the NSCN (IM) cadres in Longding District, Indian Army troopers launched a search operation in Pumao. Official sources said that there was a gathering of villagers which started protesting against the security forces' presence and resorted to stone pelting at the jawans.

Troops identified "suspicious movement" and started moving towards a house which drew two to three bursts of fire on the Indian Army contingent. Civilians were told to disperse jawans retaliated by firing eight single shots.

Although the insurgents managed to flee; however, in the crossfire, it is believed a few villagers got hurt and a villager succumbed to death. Reportedly, several soldiers also got injured due to stone pelting by the NSCN (IM) supporters in the area.