Militants attack Assam Rifles camp in Ukhrul district of Manipur

IMPHAL : Militants of the People's Liberation Army, the military wing of the Revolutionary People's Front on Saturday evening launched a well coordinated attack against the camp of 44 Assam Rifles at Kongkan village in Ukhrul district of Manipur. In a late night claim, PLA said that it had killed six personnel and smashed two barracks. However, police, quoting the Assam Rifles, said that one personnel was wounded and one barrack was damaged. The tribal villagers in the vicinity told reporters on Sunday that they could hear reports of automatic guns fires and explosions of bombs for more than one hour. Apprehending cross fire, they fled their villages and stayed the whole night in the nearby forests. 

The PLA said that there was no casualty among the militants and that all of them had returned to the base camp. The tribal villagers said that the militants were seen retreating towards the high mountains taking advantage of the thickening evening mist. The press release further said that sophisticated weapons were used in attacking the Assam Rifles camp. Official sources said that police and security forces had rushed to Kongkan village for launching a search and destroy operation. However officials said that the militants had obviously crossed the international border for going to their camp located along the no man's land. Assam Rifles have also started launching offensives along the border areas.