Nagaland: 31 personnel of Assam Rifles captured by insurgent groups released, say sources

Thirty one personnel of 25 Assam Rifles deployed at Nagaland’s Jaluki area were reportedly captured by insurgent groups on January 27 and later released, according to sources.

The sources further quoted that the Assam Rifles personnel were captured by the Naga insurgent group NSCN(I-M) special team and kept at their headquarters for three-four hours, after entering the jurisdiction of the Naga Army camp area at around 2:30 pm on January 27.

Later, in the spirit of the ceasefire, all of the captured Assam Rifles personnel were released safely with strict warnings, as to not to cross over in their territory again.

A source speaking on anonymity stated, "Multiple domination patrols of Assam Rifles were out for durations varying from 72 hr to 96 hr in the run up to Republic Day. One such patrol while returning after completing assigned task took an administrative break at Intanki National Park at around 4.00 PM on 27 Jan 23. During the break, Assam Rifles patrol observed  NSCN-IM cadres  moving on the same route and the two parties had a minor confrontation. Assam Rifles, while according utmost respect to Cease Fire Ground Rules, ensured that the incident did not escalate & the Assam Rifle patrol leader took the decision to disengage its troops. The entire incident lasted for about 40 minutes".

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