Manipur attack: At least 70 militants involved

Bengaluru, June 5: Investigations being conducted into the Manipur ambush in which 20 Indian army soldiers were killed yesterday have revealed that this operation was being planned since the past month.

The planning and detailing were precise and the United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia which claimed responsibility for the attack had a major point to prove.

Sophisticated arms such as rocket launchers were used in the attack and there was a team of 70 members who carried out this ghastly attack, investigations have also revealed.

The United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia is a newly formed group of old terrorist groups comprising the NSCN (K), Ulfa (I), Kamatapur Liberation Organization and NDFB (Songbijit).

The investigations so far show that the plan was on to attack the soldiers since the past one month.

During the past 30 days, the army has scored heavily over these militants. Not only has the army been able to neutralize a lot of their bases, but has also managed to track and cut off communication from local sources.

The anger among these militant groups who have come under one umbrella was brewing and they decided to hit back at the army. What is startling is the kind of precision and the quality of the arms that was used during the attack.

Rocket launchers of very high quality was one of the main weapons during the attack, sources privy to the probe informed OneIndia.

The plan was to target the soldiers of the Indian army and hence the plan devised too involved precision. The militants had lined up at least 70 members to carry out this attack.

They was a resile among them to ensure that the attack is a success and were desperate to send across a message to the armed forces.

Logistic support was strong:

Investigations have also revealed that the militants had sent across spotters to identify villagers who would pass on information regarding the movement of the soldiers.

The Indian soldiers have intensified operations along the Myanmar border ever since it was found that North Eastern militants had taken shelter there.

The Myanmar border area has become a safe den for these miliants and with the Indian army closing in on them, they decided it was time to retaliate in a big manner.

Intelligence Bureau officials say that there is still a considerable amount of local support that these militants have got in these regions. The villagers either pass on information out of fear or for the lure of cash to the militants.

Thursday's attack showed that the militants were well prepared for the same and the manner in which it was undertaken involved a great deal of precision, sources also informed.

OneIndia News