Ten jawans awarded for fighting militants in Manipur

Imphal, Dec 14 (UNI) Director General of Assam Rifles (DGAR) Lt Gen Paramjit Singh has awarded ten jawans for fighting militants in Manipur.

The DGAR, on a three day tour to the state, visited Chassad, Chandel, Joupi and Sajik Tampak areas and interacted with AR troops engaged in counter-insurgency Operation Samtal II.

He also apprised of the Assam Rifles involvement in a major offensive at Chandel district.

Gen Singh appreciated the troops and exhorted them to keep up the pressure on militants.

In recognition of the selfless courage, he awarded ten soldiers of 6 and 44 AR with DGAR commendation cards at Joupi, the PRO of Assam Rifles said.

Over 1000 sq km area at Samtal in Chandel district was a safe hideout for the cadres of United National Liberation Front (UNLF )for over a decade.

Sajik Tampak and Joupi, a stretch of thick forested mountains in Chandel had long served as a citadel to four prominent militants.

The first attempt to go there was made by the BSF in January 2003.

In April 2004, area domination exercise was conducted by the Army in Sajik Tampak and major operations were launched in Churachandpur and Chandel districts.

During December 2006, another major operation was launched against the UNLF and so far eight militants were killed and 125 IEDs recovered and destroyed the hideouts till January 2007.

The visit of the DG was to boost the morale of the jawans and to oversee the ongoing operations.

UNI