Militant killed in exchange of fire with security forces

A militant was killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday, Defence sources said.

Acting on specific intelligence about NSCN cadres carrying out extortion from villagers, Assam Rifles personnel swiftly launched an operation, Kohima-based Defence Spokesman Col Chiranjeet Konwar said.

But the spokesman did not specify which faction of the NSCN was carrying out extortion.

During search of the area, the security personnel noticed a few suspected cadres trying to flee.

"They challenged the militants and asked them to surrender. However, the fleeing militants opened fire on them and they retaliated and brought down controlled effective fire on the fleeing militant and eliminated one cadre," the spokesman said in a release.

The other cadres, however, managed to escape using cover of dense foliage.

During search operation, the security forces found the hardcore cadre who had succumbed to bullet injuries.

A HK33 automatic rifle, large quantities of ammunition and other documents were also recovered from the dead rebel.

The police said that the dead militant belonged to the NSCN(U).