Manipur security advisor Kuldiep Singh on Thursday stated that, as per intelligence report, there is a possibility of the involvement of People’s Defence Force (PDF) insurgents operating in Moreh and some reinforcement from Myanmar in the attacks on Moreh that took place on Wednesday.
Addressing the press on Thursday at the CM’s Secretariat, Kuldiep Singh said that a large number of Kuki militants started firing on state commandos in three locations of Moreh, Tengnoupal district since Wednesday morning.
The security advisor said that as per intelligence report, PDF insurgents operating at Moreh and maybe some reinforcements from Burma could be involved in the attack on state forces at Moreh.
For such attacks, the state forces were prepared and for a larger number of days, these types of attacks were coming from far areas, not from nearby areas. But yesterday (Wednesday), the attacks started coming from nearby areas, he said.
Amid the attack, Assam Rifles along with CDO and BSF tried their best to combat it. However, one was injured and brought dead while two were injured. Moreover, another man was also killed in the afternoon while three more were injured, the security advisor informed, adding that another personnel was also injured at night.
Soon after the news of the attack came to light, security forces rushed to tackle the issue, the security advisor said, adding that following the report of shortage of arms and ammunition, it was shared by AR and BSF. Later in the evening all forces joined together and launched a massive attack thus pushing back the militants, he added.
“Meanwhile, we also thought that other forces and reinforcements should be sent. So, two companies of BSF, two columns of Army and four Caspers were sent”, Kuldiep Singh said.
He said that on Thursday morning, four Caspers, one company BSF, two columns of army had been sent by road and had reached Moreh.
Following a request from the state government, one helicopter was requested from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Airforce directed for assisting support. One chopper has been sent and deployment of forces, transport of arms and ammunition begun, he informed.
He further informed that three BSF personnel were injured following a gun fight on Wednesday night at Khangabok in Thoubal district when a large number of miscreants tried to loot arms from IRB headquarter and tried to storm the DC office.
Exchange of firing also took place at Kangchup where two persons were injured, he informed.
“For the last two days, heightened activities of attacks on state forces and civilians have been on and the state government is taking it seriously and everyone is alerted”, said Kukdiep.
He also highlighted the demand of removing the CDO from Moreh.
“I still say that, as per intelligence, there is a report that Myanmar terrorists may be involved. However, intelligence itself cannot become evidence”, the security advisor said while replying to media questions regarding involvement of terrorists from Myanmar.
“There is a possibility but no evidence as of now, of the involvement of Myanmar terrorists in the Moreh attack”, the security advisor said.
He also said that the state government has directed to enquire about attacks on state forces, CDO at Moreh.
