Guwahati: In a major counter-insurgency breakthrough, Assam Police, in coordination with the National Investigation Agency (NIA), has arrested a most-wanted militant of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) from Hojai district.
The militant was a key operative involved in the 2021 ambush on an Indian Army convoy in Manipur, a brutal attack that resulted in multiple casualties, including that of a senior military officer and his family.
The ambush, which took place on November 13, 2021, near the Myanmar border in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, was among the deadliest terror attacks in the region.
A heavily armed militant group had targeted the convoy of Colonel Viplav Tripathi, Commanding Officer of the 46 Assam Rifles, mercilessly killing him, his wife, eight-year-old son, and four riflemen.
The attack sent shockwaves across the security establishment, prompting a massive hunt for those responsible.
According to intelligence reports, at least 10 militants were directly involved in the ambush, which was later claimed by a Manipur-based insurgent outfit.
Security agencies have been relentlessly pursuing the case, leading to earlier arrests, including that of a Manipur Naga People’s Front (MNPF) terrorist in 2022, who carried a bounty of Rs 4 lakh for his role in the ambush.
The latest arrest in Hojai district marks a critical breakthrough, potentially paving the way for dismantling insurgent networks that continue to pose a threat in the Northeast.
Security forces believe that the captured militant holds crucial information regarding the PLA’s operations, recruitment channels, and external support links. His interrogation is expected to shed light on hidden terror modules and facilitate further crackdowns on separatist outfits operating in the region.
Assam Police and the NIA have hailed the arrest as a significant victory in the ongoing fight against insurgency, reaffirming their commitment to bringing those responsible for such heinous acts to justice.
The security apparatus remains on high alert, with intelligence agencies closely monitoring potential movements of underground militant groups operating along the Indo-Myanmar border.
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