3 Assam Rifles personnel killed in Manipur

Three Assam Rifles personnel were killed and five others injured in an ambush by Manipur insurgents at Longpi village.

Three Assam Rifles personnel were killed and five others injured in an ambush by Manipur insurgents at Longpi village in interior hill district of Tamenglong, official sources said on Wednesday.

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Sources said personnel of the 35th Assam Rifles battalion on Tuesday launched a massive manhunt at Longpi area, about 55 kms west of here, following reports that well-armed insurgents were roaming freely there.

As they intensified the search operation, insurgents who were hiding in the thick jungles opened fire and in the ensuing exchange of fire three Assam Rifles personnel were killed and five others sustained bullet wounds, sources said.

Reports from Tamenglong district said the gunbattle lasted several hours during which the insurgents escaped to nearby thick jungles. Casualty, if any, on the side of the insurgents was not immediately known.