Military operations in progress against militants in Manipur

Imphal, Dec 19 (UNI) The Assam Rifles (AR) and Army are continuing their joint operations against militants at the Samtal area near the Manipur-Myanmar border in Chandel district.

The PRO of AR said here today that the troops were now moving towards the New Samtal area and had positioned themselves at S Bongjoi, Phaisangjang and Khumkot villages.

The operations against militants started early this year and the troops were gradually moving ahead, pushing out the militants.

The troops were now concentrated at New Samtal and Lajang and had reached within striking distance of New Samtal, the PRO said.

IThe PRO revealed that the militants were being compelled to vacate the areas which they had earlier occupied.

So far, 156 lEDs had been recovered and destroyed and ten soldiers sustained injuries in the process and were undergoing treatment at the military hospitals.

Meanwhile, the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) claimed that it had emerged successful in the area. However, the PRO refuted the claim.

''By circulating such reports, the UNLF is trying to lift its cadres' sagging morale, who are deserting the outfits after the well-planned and executed Operation Samtal II was launched by the AR and Army,'' the PRO said.

UNI