GUWAHATI: Continuing with its attack on security forces, insurgents of the banned Khaplang faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) ambushed a four-vehicle convoy of Assam Rifles in Nagaland’s Zunheboto district on Friday evening.
The NSCN-K claimed that at least eight to 10 jawans were killed while several others injured in the attack. But official sources said only four jawans were injured.
This is the third attack on security forces by the insurgent group in the past one month. The two other attacks were carried out in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
NSCN-K leader Isak Sumi claimed that one of the four vehicles had rolled down a cliff upon being fired upon from a close range by the Naga guerrillas.
“Almost all occupants of the last vehicle of the convoy were possibly killed. The vehicle was completely mangled and riddled,” he claimed.
But Nagaland government, as well as defence sources, said four jawans were injured and nobody was killed in the attack.
“There were no casualties. Four jawans, who sustained injuries, have been evacuated. Their injuries were not fatal,” defence sources told Express from Nagaland.
The jawans were returning to their camp after a routine patrol when they had come under the attack.
“Three to four insurgents were involved in the attack, which lasted for only a few minutes. When the jawans retaliated, they fled,” the sources added.
Meanwhile, security forces have launched a massive hunt for the militants.
Last year, the NSCN-K had killed 18 Army personnel and injured several others in a similar ambush in Chandel district of Manipur.