Dimapur, June 22 (EMN): Indian army on Saturday claimed to have captured a top leader of the Yung Aung-led NSCN (K) who had masterminded the attack on an Assam Rifles convoy at Tobu area in Mon district on May 25, killing two soldiers.
A Defence statement on Saturday informed that the breakthrough was achieved through the combined efforts of the Indian army, Special Forces, Assam Rifles and intelligence agencies. “Ground inputs were received regarding presence of these insurgents in the general area of Aboi in Mon district and additional check points were established.
“At 11.20 am on June 21, security forces were able to identify the vehicle they were travelling and in a swift clinical operation were able to apprehended these insurgents before they could escape. ‘Maj. Gen.’ Yanghang, alias Mopa, is the highest-ranking cadre of NSCN-K (Yung Aung faction) in India and is the chief architect of extortion and perpetrator of many heinous crimes. He was controlling all operations of the faction in the complete area of Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. His apprehension has sent a wave of relief amongst local population,” read the statement.
It stated that since the attack on May 25, security forces had launched sustained military operations to nab the perpetrators. “This is a massive victory for all the security forces and state governments. Security forces have a firm resolve to continue their relentless operations to protect all the citizens from this bane of terrorism.”
It appealed to all the cadres to “give up this futile course of violence” and join the initiative of government of India in ceasefire efforts to bring peace and development in the region.
IGAR (N) refuses to take questions from journalists
In Kohima, the Inspector General of Assam Rifles (North) called for a press conference on Saturday morning at the IGAR office to announce the capture. The officer read out the same statement that was emailed to the local newspapers; and refused to take any question from the journalists saying “it was not a media interaction.’