Two army jawans killed, 3 injured in Nagaland

Two jawans of Assam Rifles died and three others were injured in a gun battle with unidentified militants, on Saturday afternoon in Mon district in North Nagaland.

An army source told DH that the shootout took place between Tobu and Ukha in the district, bordering Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar.

"Two jawans died on the spot as they suffered multiple bullet injuries. Three other jawans received serious injuries. We are awaiting information about the casualty of the militants," said the army source.

Sources said the casualty happened when suspected militants ambushed a group of army men, who were moving in the area as part of their operation against militant groups. The militants were responsible for Tuesday's killing of an MLA and 10 others in Tirap district in Arunachal Pradesh as well.

The attack comes two days after army chief Bipin Rawat visited Assam and Arunachal Pradesh and instructed for an operation against the rebels, who had killed the MLA and 10 others.

Army, including its special forces, have launched a massive operation in the jungles of Arunachal Pradesh and neighbouring Nagaland, where Naga rebel groups have a strong hold.

Although no militant group has claimed responsibility, army sources suspected the involvement of NSCN (K), a rebel group, against which Myanmar army has launched a crackdown on their side of the border.

NSCN (K) had carried out a similar ambush on security forces in eastern Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh since it abrogated ceasefire with the Centre in 2015. The outfit has targeted the forces along the India-Myanmar borders.

Citing inputs received by security forces, DH recently reported that rebel groups in the Northeast were planning an attack to show their presence following the crackdown launched by Myanmar army, since February.