Imphal: Operations were underway on Thursday morning after Assam Rifles gunned down 10 militants in an encounter in Manipur's Chandel district, officials said, reported PTI.
The site of the encounter is close to the India-Myanmar international border in the hilly terrain of Chandel district, an official said, adding it is 130 km from the state capital Imphal and has scant human inhabitation.
Kohima-based Defence PRO told PTI, "The operation is still underway on Thursday morning and more information will be shared only when it is over."
When asked about the identity of the militants involved, a central security official said, "The troops are still conducting operations and the identity is yet to be confirmed."
The Army's Eastern Command said in a post on X on Wednesday, "Acting on specific intelligence on movement of armed cadres near the New Samtal village, Khengjoy tehsil, Chandel district, close to the Indo-Myanmar border, Assam Rifles unit under Spear Corps launched an operation on May 14."
During the operation, the troops were fired upon by suspected cadres, to which they quickly reacted, redeployed and retaliated in a calibrated and measured manner. In the ensuing firefight, 10 cadres were neutralised and a sizeable quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered," it added.
Also, Security forces arrested seven militants belonging to various proscribed outfits from different districts of Manipur, according to police.
The arrests were made in Thoubal, Kakching, Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts.
Two active cadres of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), identified as RK Mubisana Meitei (47) and Moirangthem Naresh Singh (28), were arrested from Leirongthel Prita area in Thoubal district on Wednesday. They were involved in extortion activities, a police officer said. Two 9mm and .32mm pistols with magazines and seven cartridges were seized from their possession, he said.
Security forces arrested an active member of the United National Liberation Front (Koireng) from his residence in Kangmong Meisnam Maning Leikai in Bishnupur district on Wednesday. He was identified as Moirangthem Chinglen Singh (44). Another active cadre of UNLF (Koireng) was arrested from the Lamdong area in Kakching district on Tuesday. He was identified as Asem Nanao Singh (31) and was involved in extortion activities in Kakching district, the police officer said.
A militant belonging to the UNLF (Pambei) outfit was also arrested from Minuthong in Imphal East district. The insurgent, identified as Waikhom Rajesh Singh (32), was involved in extortion activities and collected money from cargo agencies in Imphal Valley.
A self-styled 'Sergeant Major' of the banned CKLA/UPLF group was arrested from Saikot village in Churachandpur district on Tuesday, the police officer said.
A 9mm pistol along with three cartridges were seized from the possession of the militant, identified as David Ngamjang (25), he said.
Another militant belonging to the KCP (Taibanganba) outfit, who was involved in extortion activities, was arrested from Waikhong in Kakching district on Tuesday.