KHONSA, August 10 – In a momentous breakthrough, security forces have struck a severe blow against the extremist organization NSCN/K (Nikki), with the elimination of one of its core members and the apprehension of another in a meticulously executed joint operation by the Khonsa Battalion of Assam Rifles and Tirap Police. The operation unfolded on August 10 and 9, 2023, consecutively, within the Tirap district.
According to a press communiqué issued by Tirap Police, the relentless vigilance of Assam Rifles personnel and Tirap Police had led them to shadow the movements of three individuals affiliated with NSCN/K (Nikki), who were suspected of orchestrating illegal acts of extortion and intimidation within the local populace. Guided by pinpointed intelligence, the concerted efforts of the Officer-in-charge of Borduria Police Station, in tandem with a police squad and a detachment from the 6th Assam Rifles Battalion, culminated in a meticulously orchestrated operation. This operation culminated in the apprehension of SS Pvt Teton Lokhow, a militant implicated in the dispatch of extortion messages and the issuance of threats to prominent figures within the district. Preliminary inquiries have unearthed his complicity in these activities, leading to the filing of an FIR against him, invoking pertinent sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
However, the operation took an unforeseen turn when Teton Lokhow divulged pivotal intelligence regarding the activities of two other NSCN/K (Nikki) cadres – SS Secy Wangkhai Wangsa and SS Pvt David. These militants were reportedly embroiled in analogous illicit activities within the Longding area. The early hours of August 10 bore witness to a subsequent operation that ultimately pitted the combined might of the security forces against the two militants.
In a regrettable sequence, the militants chose confrontation over surrender, prompting the security personnel to return fire in self-defense. Tragically, Wangkhai Wangsa was fatally wounded by gunfire at the scene, while his accomplice managed to slip away, vanishing deep into the encompassing forest cover. Recovered from the site were firearms, including a 9mm pistol and a .32 pistol, alongside personal effects belonging to Wangkhai. Formal documentation concerning this incident has been lodged at Borduria Police Station.
The apprehended militant, Teton Lokhow, and the fallen Wangkhai Wangsa hailed from Tirap and Longding districts, respectively. Utilizing digital platforms such as WhatsApp, they purportedly disseminated extortion notices and employed phone calls and text messages to instill fear among local residents. The preemptive monitoring of these unlawful activities by security forces has reaped considerable dividends, significantly curbing these transgressions, especially in the build-up to the nation’s Independence Day.
Nevertheless, the recent security operation has been enveloped in controversy, as a viral audio recording circulating on social media contradicts the official account. The audio alleges that the individual purportedly killed during the operation was not associated with any extremist faction, but rather a local villager from Kaimoi Village, falling under the jurisdiction of PS Tissa in Longding District. The audio contends that he was an everyday wage laborer, compelled to traverse the distance from Deomali, Tirap District, on foot due to the lack of available transportation. Tragically, the audio asserts that he fell victim to gunfire by security forces during the encounter. However, the authenticity of this audio remains unsubstantiated.
A security official has informed us that, in accordance with available reports, the deceased individual had recently joined an underground (UG) group, and the circumstances surrounding his demise are undergoing verification.
