Imphal, Sept 24 (NNN): In a major breakthrough, security forces have arrested a senior cadre of the banned People’s Liberation Army (PLA), believed to be the prime accused in the deadly ambush on 33 Assam Rifles at Nambol Sabal Leikai, Bishnupur district in Manipur, last week.
The ambush, carried out on September 19, claimed the lives of two Assam Rifles jawans and left five others injured.
Officials said the cadre, identified as Khomdram Ojit Singh alias Keilal (47) of Awang Leikinthabi Awang Leikai, Imphal West, was arrested around 1 a.m. on Wednesday from Kameng area in a joint operation by Imphal West Police, Bishnupur Police, and 33 Assam Rifles.
Police said Ojit confessed to taking part in the ambush and revealed that he and his associates fled towards Loktak Lake after the attack, hiding their weapons at a secret location.
Acting on his disclosure, the combined forces recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including an A4 rifle, an HK rifle, two AK rifles, one INSAS rifle, several magazines, three lathode shells, and hundreds of rounds of assorted ammunition. A mobile handset, wallet, and an Aadhaar card were also seized.
Police added that Ojit was a bailed-out PLA member who had earlier been arrested in 2007. Interrogation is ongoing, and raids are being conducted to track down other militants involved in the attack, police added.
