One villager killed, others injured as Army tries to nab ultras in Arunachal Pradesh

One civilian was killed and another injured when Army opened fire following a law and order situation at Pumao village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Longding district Saturday, government officials said. The Army has, however, claimed that insurgents used a human shield to fire at their men.

Longding (Arunachal Pradesh):A civilian was killed and many others, including Army soldiers, were injured during firing as well as stone-pelting when the armed forces went to a village to nab National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) Isak-Muivah (IM) ultras on Saturday in Arunachal Pradesh, a defence release said.

Acting on a specific input about the presence of NSCN (IM) insurgents in Pumao village in Longding district of eastern Arunachal Pradesh, Army troops launched a search operation.

"The troops of Indian Army launched a search operation in general area Pumao. There was a gathering of villagers which started protesting against security forces and resorted to stone pelting. Many soldiers were injured in stone-pelting," said Guwahati-based Defence PRO Lt. Col P Khongsai.

Noticing suspicious movement, troopers started moving towards a house which drew two to three bursts of firing on the Army men.

"The troops identified suspicious movement and started moving towards a house which drew two to three bursts of fire on Indian Army party," he said.

"The civilians were told to disperse. To safeguard their lives and property, controlled retaliation was resorted to by firing eight single shots. In the melee, the NSCN insurgents managed to escape. However, in the cross-fire, it is believed a few villagers have been hurt and one of them has expired," the release said.

The release further read that the Army offers condolences to the family of the deceased villager.

With inputs from IANS