KPLT decimated, all top leaders in security net

Security forces bust hideout at Amring forest, seize arms cache

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, February 16: Security forces have dealt a major blow to the once-dreaded Karbi Peoples’ Liberation Tiger (KPLT), arresting the entire top brass of the rebel outfit over the last week.

On the second day of the massive crackdown launched by a joint team of the Jagiroad-based troops of the Army’s Red Horn Division and Hamren police in the rugged terrain of West Karbi Anglong, seven top hardcore leaders of the anti-talks faction of Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF) were bbed and a huge cache of weapons recovered from them.

The cadres included commander in chief Sunder Dera, his deputy Danger Ingti and the area commanders of Socheng and Amring areas.

The outfit’s chairman Donri Kramsa was held on February 11.

Security forces had yesterday apprehended the fince secretary, the treasurer and another cadre from Karbirongsope village in Hamren subdivision. One AK Rifle, two pistols along with assorted ammunition, and other stores were also recovered from these hardcore terrorists.

Based on leads received from the apprehended militants about a hideout inside Amring forest area near Tapat village, security forces launched a well-coordited massive combing operation in the area. Stealthily making their way through thickly forested and treacherous terrain for over sixteen hours, the security forces maged to cordon off the militants in their hideout by early morning today.

After a fierce firefight that lasted for about 45 minutes, the security forces maged to b all seven terrorists holed up in the well-concealed hideout.

The busting of the hideout also resulted in the recovery of a huge cache of arms, ammunition and other stores that included four AK series rifles, two pistols, one grede launcher, fourteen magazines of AK rifles, six magazines of pistols, 2,343 rounds of 7.62 caliber ammunition, 14 rounds of 9 mm caliber ammunition, dummy rifles for training new recruits and various incrimitory documents like extortion notes of KPLT and money receipts. The hideout was well stocked with rations, clothing and medicines to sustain the terrorists for a prolonged period.

The series of operations conducted so far have broken the backbone of the KPLT with the capture of their entire top leadership and important cadres.

The Karbi People’s Liberation Tiger (KPLT), earlier known as anti-talks faction of Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF-ATF) was formed at an undisclosed location on January 8, 2011. Initially formed with 25 cadres, the outfit later formally rechristened itself as KPLT.

The KLNLF-ATF was a breakaway faction of the Karbi Longri tiol Liberation Front (KLNLF), which had laid down arms on February 11, 2010.

For some time, the KPLT emerged as a new threat in the State. But it is believed to have split by the middle of 2011, when some of its members formed a new group, the Karbi tiol Protection Force (KNPF). However, not much is heard about the KNPF.