IMPHAL, May 23 - Security forces are carrying out an intensive combing operation in Manipur�s Chandel district to nab the militants responsible for yesterday�s ambush in which six Assam Rifles personnel were killed.
�The search operation has been going on continuously since yesterday but there are deep jungles and rainy weather. So far no one has been caught,� a Defence official said today.
The Coordination Committee of six Manipur-based militant groups (CarCom) and PLA are suspected to be involved in the attacks. Officials said the bodies of the personnel will be sent to their respective hometowns tomorrow after a wreath-laying ceremony.
A group of militants had yesterday afternoon ambushed a convoy of 29 Assam Rifles killing a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and five jawans near Indo-Myanmar border in Chandel district.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had directed security forces to take �strongest possible action� against the militants involved in the ambush.
Assam Rifles officials said the area of the encounter was cordoned off and efforts were on to neutralise the insurgent group and prevent them from crossing over to Myanmar.
Last year, 18 army personnel were killed in the same district in an ambush by NSCN(K) militants.
Condolences: Arunachal Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa has mourned the death of six Assam Rifles personnel in an ambush in Manipur.
Expressing condolences on behalf of the people of the State, the Governor said, �Our thoughts and prayers are with the members of the bereaved families at this difficult time.
�The people of North East will always remember the ultimate sacrifices of these brave personnel of the Friends of the Hill People,� a Raj Bhawan statement said here. Condemning the incident, Rajkhowa said all steps should be taken to bring the perpetrators to justice. � PTI
