In another ambush, one Assam Rifles jawan was seriously injured when the rear of one of the four-vehicle convoy came under fire, one and half kilometres from Kohima on the NH 2 at around 9.40 a.m. Friday. The last vehicle, a Gypsy which bore the brunt of the attack careened and toppled on its side. The injured Assam Rifles jawan was later airlifted to Kolkata but his condition was stable, sources said.
Sources from the security forces disclosed that the four-vehicle convoy was on its way to the Heritage village, Kisama with some visitors. It was also disclosed, that earlier in the morning, security forces were tipped off about presence of some cadres in the area. However a patrol party which went to check could not locate the armed cadres, who were hiding in a place above the road.
Security forces confirmed that the NSCN(K) was involved in the incident that took place between a small stream and the FCI godown after crossing Phesama police check gate towards the Heritage village, Kisama.
Police recovered 12 empty cases of 5.56 calibre (INSAS) and 27 cases of 7.62 calibre (AK) and one bullet head from the site where the ambushers fired at the convoy down on the road. The sources also disclosed that around ten to twelve NSCN(K) cadres were believed to have been involved in the ambush.
Combined force of DEF and IR swung into action by launching search operations in and around the capital. Security forces have also launched a massive combing operations across parts of the state including roads leading to other districts.
Meanwhile, according to security force sources, the ambush was seen as a retaliation against the arrest of NSCN(K) finance (chaplee) secretary Khekaho Rochill from Dimapur on May 28. Three others- Inavi Assumi, a Leacy (civil wing) and Toki Kinny, reportedly a driver- were apprehended along Zunheboto-Kohima road via Chakabama on May 26.
It may be recalled, that the NSCN(K) has been targeting the Assam Rifles since March 26 near IG Stadium where four jawans of the 19 Assam Rifles were injured. Later on April 25 one jawan of the 19 AR was killed near Traffic Island Kohima. The highest casualty suffered was on May 3 near Changlangshu where seven jawans of the Assam Rifles and one of the TA Battalion (Naga) were killed in an ambush by NSCN(K).
The spate of attacks on the security personnel comes in the wake of the NSCN(K) unilaterally abrogating the 14-year old cease fire with the Government of India.
PVC condemns: Phesama Village Council (PVC) has vehemently condemned firing incident within its jurisdiction. In a press note, PVC chairman, Vimedo Churse and general secretary Rovise Khaleon said the miscreants fired upon the army convoy.
PVC said they were “perplexed” which underground faction was responsible for the incident. “What was hidden motive to disturb peaceful atmosphere of the area by creating fear psychosis?,” PVC questioned. It said when Nagas are striving for peaceful co-existence, such senseless desperate cowardice act should not be repeated. PVC further urged upon all to denounce such kind of terrorism anddeclared that “the responsible faction will not be cooperated in future”.
SASU: Southern Angami Students’ Union has strongly condemned the firing incident at Phesama village.
SASU president Tiesovi Thorie and general secretary Kedunol Kikhi said the incident has created chaos to the smooth functioning of the society. SASU appealed all peace loving citizen to condemn such barbaric act and also urged upon the authority to book the culprit(s) and give punish as per the law of the land.