UNLF claims responsibility for attacks

Imphal, February 21: The proscribed UNLF today said that it is continuing its series of attacks on "Indian occupational forces" uninterrupted. In a release, the outfit said 3 BSF jawans were killed and 4 injured when its army attacked a BSF convoy sent in to Henglep to oversee the "Indian colonial election" in Churachandpur district on February 13. Two bullet proof vehicles were destroyed in the attack, it said and added that the BSF convoy suffered heavy casualties when it was attacked again near Henglep on February 19. The outfit's MPA mounted another attack using rocket launchers on the Yairipok based 7th Assam Rifles troops led by Captain Samirbhan on January 27 this year for harassing civilians of the area without reason and for spreading colonial mindset, it said. Claiming that the attack carried out against a 9 vehicle reinforcement colarnn of the 7th AR returning from Maphou Dam at Yairipok at around 6.45 pm yesterday was the most successful of the series of attacks the outfit has undertaken, UNLF said that four AR jawans including a Captain was killed in it. It said several others including one Major were injured. There was no casualty on the side of the cadres and they have returned to their camps safely. However, in the midst of the successful strikes, an unfortunate incident occurred near the Little Flower School at Kwakeithel at 7 pm yesterday. Some civilians were killed and some others were injured, it said. The incident occurred when the bomb planted by its cadres exploded near the civilian jeep coming behind army vehicles heading towards Churachandpur side a fraction of a second late. Stating that UNLF expresses heartfelt sorrow for the incident and shares the sorrow of the bereaved family members, UNLF appealed to the general public and family members to pardon the party for the mistake.