Security forces arrested a self-styled Major of NSCN (IM), who had unleashed a reign of terror around the tri-junction of Assam-Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
Acting on specific information, a joint operation of Army, Assam Rifles and the Assam Police launched an operation, which involved search of a designated area and laid ambushes on suspected routes to intercept the movement of the cadre.
At around 3:30 am on Sunday, one of the teams intercepted a vehicle which was moving on the Namtola – Jampan road and immediately apprehended the NSCN (IM) commander.
Also read: NSCN top leader involved in killing of Assam Rifles troppers nabbed
The arrested NSCN (IM) commander was identified as self-styled Major Anok Wangsa.
Wongsa was the Area Commander of NSCN (IM)’s Longding-Charaideo-Mon region.
Army officials described the arrest as a highly successful surgical operation against the insurgent outfit.
Army officials informed Northeast Now on Monday that Major Wongsa was a close associate of self-styled Major General Absolom Tangkhul of NSCN (IM) who is believed to be involved in the killing of Arunachal Pradesh MLA Tirong Aboh.
Aboh, a member of NPP, and MLA from Khonsa West, was gunned down along with 11 others on May 21 at Bogapani in Tirap district.
“Apprehension of the NSCN (IM) area commander has been greatly welcomed by the locals of Mon (Nagaland), Longding (Arunachal Pradesh) and Charaideo (Assam),” Lt Col P Khongsai, PRO Defence, said.
While arms and ammunition were seized from the vehicle, the NSCN (IM) commander confessed that he had hidden more weapons in his house along the Assam – Nagaland border.
Subsequently, security forces carried out a search of his house which resulted in recovery of large cache of arms, ammunition. One AK-56 Rifle, many pistols and more than Rupees five Lakh in cash was recovered.