Forces gun down 10 militants in op at Myanmar border

GUWAHATI: Assam Rifles tracked and killed 10 militants in an operation that continued till late Thursday in the remote hilly terrain of the India-Myanmar border in Manipur’s tribal-majority Chandel district, officials said.

The unidentified casualties were reported by the Army’s Eastern Command hours after the Assam Rifles contingent set off Wednesday for the mostly unfenced international border, based on intelligence about militant activity in that area.

Braving rain and difficult terrain, Assam Rifles personnel engaged with the militants near the border pillars in the area before at least 10 of the militants were cornered and shot dead, officials said. An unspecified quantity of arms and ammunition was seized.

Sources in the security establishment said the slain men were suspected to be members of armed groups with roots in Myanmar.