Special forces launch operation in Arunachal

The army on Wednesday pressed its special forces and helicopters with night flying facilities into its operation launched along Myanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh for those involved in the killings of an MLA and 10 others.

An official statement said army troops launched a massive search operation in the jungles of Tirap, Longding and Changlang districts in Arunachal Pradesh to nab the killers of Khonsa West MLA Tirong Aboh in Tirap district on Tuesday. Unidentified militants had waylaid the MLA's convoy around noon and fired indiscriminately leaving him, his son and nine others dead. Two other policemen received bullet injuries.

"Additional forces including Special Forces troops have also been inducted to add teeth to the operations. The specialist helicopters with night flying ability and night vision equipment have also been pressed into service to ensure real-time and all-round surveillance of the area during the prevailing bad weather conditions. Reconnaissance helicopters, quadcopters and tracker dogs are also extensively being employed in the operations," said the statement.

Army sources said all the possible escape routes have been blocked along Nagaland – Arunachal Peadesh borders. The Army has intensified operations with increased area domination teams and mobile check posts being deployed along the adjoining districts of Nagaland, it said.