NIA visits Manipur ambush scene, seizes gun shells, unexploded Improvised Explosive Device

NEW DELHI: A National Investigating Agency team today seized some Lethod gun shells and an unexploded Improvised Explosive Device (IED) from the scene of gruesome killing of 18 army personnel in Manipur's Chandel district.

The NIA, which has taken over the case from Manipur police, conducted a thorough search of the area, five days after the attack, the worst on the army in recent times, official sources said.

They said the IED was defused by explosives experts from the army.

Naga insurgent outfit NSCN (Khaplang) had in a release dated the day the attack took place, claimed responsibility for the ambush which left 18 army personnel dead and 10 others injured.

The militant outfit in the release claimed the attack was a joint operation by it, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup and Kangleipak Communist Party.

NIA has taken over the case from Manipur police and registered a case in the agency's Guwahati branch under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Arms Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

According to the intelligence reports, ULFA's fugitive chief Paresh Baruah, who is alleged to be opertaing at the behest of China's PLA, is believed to have convinced NSCN-K leader S S Khaplang to snap the ceasefire agreement with Indian government in March last year.

Khaplang and Baruah are believed to be often shuttling betwen Taga ( Myanmar) and Ruili and Kunming - both in Yunnan province of China - and are in regular touch with Chinese officials.