Imphal, Jan. 11: The BSF has pulled out of the Sajik Tampak valley of Manipur’s Chandel district. A fierce gunbattle had raged between the militants and the BSF in the area for three days. An inspector-general of the BSF flew into the state capital today to assess the situation. BSF sources confirmed the pull-out, but said the troops were regrouping at the Sugnu post in Thoubal. They did not assign any reason for the withdrawal.
The Manipur People’s Liberation Front (MPLF), however, claimed the troops had “fled” using villagers as a human shield. The pull-out that began yesterday was completed this morning. Intense fighting between the troops and a combined force of the three major militant outfits under the MPLF broke out on Wednesday morning. The number of casualties could not be immediately known.
This is the first concerted attack by militants on Central forces in the state.
The MPLF, comprising the Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, the United National Liberation Front and the Revolutionary Peoples Front, had also attacked BSF posts at Thinungei, Moirang INA complex, Kumbi Bazar and Ithai Barrage, all in Bishenpur district, last night.
According to “War News” issued by the permanent body of the MPLF today, a BSF jawan was killed, while two others were seriously wounded in the Ithai Barrage attack.
The MPLF claimed that six BSF jawans were killed in the Sajik Tampak encounter and the BSF claimed that 12 militants were killed. The MPLF denied any casualty on its side.
Grenade recovered
Guwahati police today recovered a grenade from Saukuchi area under Basistha police station. The grenade was kept hidden underground inside a building. The police recovered the grenade using a deep search metal detector, city superintendent of police H.K. Nath said, reports our staff reporter.