Arunachal villager killed in crossfire between Army and militants in Longding district

Representative picture

Dibrugarh, 16 May: One villager was killed and few others hurt in the crossfire between Indian Army and suspected NSCN-IM militants at Pumao village under Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh today, according to information gathered from a defence communique.
The Indian Army claimed that based on the specific input regarding presence of NSCN-IM insurgents in Pumao village, the troops of Indian Army launched a search operation in the area.
“There was a gathering of villagers which started protesting against security forces and resorted to stone pelting. Troops identified suspicious movement and started moving towards a house which drew two to three bursts of fire on Indian Army party.
“Civilians were told to disperse and to safeguard lives and property. Controlled retaliation was resorted to by firing eight single shots. In this melee insurgents managed to escape. However, in this crossfire, it is believed, few villagers have got hurt and one villager has expired. Indian Army offers condolences to family of the deceased villager,” the Army communique said.

Many soldiers of Indian Army also got injured due to stone pelting by supporters of NSCN (IM), the security force claimed.