Arunachal: Suspected ULFA(I) Militant Killed in Intense Gunfight with Security Forces in Namsai

NAMSAI ( Arunachal Pradesh )- In a significant escalation of counter-insurgency efforts in Arunachal Pradesh  security forces neutralized one cadre of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) during a fierce encounter in the Namsai district early Wednesday morning.

The operation, which unfolded on the intervening night of October 21 and 22, has prompted an ongoing search for additional militants believed to have fled the scene.

The joint operation was launched by personnel from the Indian Army and Assam Rifles in the remote MS-6 area of Namsai, a region bordering Assam and known for sporadic militant activities.

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According to official sources, the security forces acted on specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of a ULFA(I) group in the vicinity. The militants, reportedly from the same faction responsible for a recent attack on an Army base in Assam’s Tinsukia district that injured three soldiers, opened fire upon being challenged, leading to a prolonged exchange of gunfire.

The slain militant has been identified as self-styled Sergeant Major Iwon Asom, also known by his alias Abhikeshor Moran, a key operative in the ULFA(I)’s organizational structure.

During the gunbattle, security forces recovered an array of arms and ammunition, including an AK-series rifle, grenades, and other insurgent paraphernalia, underscoring the militants’ intent to carry out further subversive activities.

No casualties were reported on the security forces’ side, though the intensity of the firefight highlighted the militants’ desperation. “The operation was a testament to the unwavering commitment of our forces in maintaining peace and security in the region,” a senior Army spokesperson stated, emphasizing the role of real-time intelligence in thwarting potential threats.

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As of mid-morning on Wednesday, a comprehensive search operation is underway in the surrounding forested terrain to apprehend the remaining members of the ULFA(I) group who escaped into the dense underbrush.

Additional reinforcements, including specialized tracker dogs and aerial surveillance, have been deployed to cordon off the area and prevent any cross-border movement into Myanmar or Assam.

This encounter comes amid heightened tensions in the Northeast following the October 16 attack on an Army establishment in Tinsukia, where suspected ULFA(I) cadres fired upon troops, injuring three personnel.

Local authorities have urged residents in Namsai and adjacent areas to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements.

“The incident underscores the persistent challenge of insurgent activities in Arunachal Pradesh, despite ongoing peace talks with factions of the original ULFA. As the search intensifies, officials remain optimistic that this operation will disrupt ULFA(I)’s operational capabilities in the border districts. Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.