Guwahati, Aug 09: An Assam Rifles officer was injured on Tuesday in an incident of firing by suspected militants on troops of the paramilitary force from across the India-Myanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh, a defence spokesperson said.
The incident took place near Pangsau Pass when the insurgents fired on a patrolling team of Assam Rifles, he said.
“An incident of firing on Assam Rifles troops by militant groups from across the Indo Myanmar border took place early morning in the general area of Tirap and Changlang district,” Tezpur-based defence spokesperson Lt Col AS Walia said.
The Assam Rifles troops were undertaking enhanced patrolling activities in view of heightened vigil for Independence Day, he said.
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“A junior commissioned officer sustained an injury in his hand,” the spokesman added. Members of NSCN-KYA are suspected to have been involved in the firing.
It is suspected that two militant groups, the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) and the Yung Aung faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-KYA) are involved in the shoot-out and this occurred after the militant groups called for a boycott of the Independence Day celebrations in the region.
According to Lt Col A S Walia, PRO (Defence), Tezpur, in the heavy exchange of firing one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) sustained a minor injury in the hand. However, no other injury or damage has been reported.
He further stated that the Assam Rifles will continue to enhance their surveillance owing to keeping a check on such incidents in the area ahead of the Independence Day celebrations.
