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| India-Pakistan |
| Six troopers killed in ambush |
| 2008-03-16 |
| IMPHAL — Six paramilitary troopers were killed and four wounded yesterday in an ambush by separatist militants in Manipur, officials said. A police spokesman said militants of the outlawed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) ambushed a post of the paramilitary Assam Rifles at village Minou in Chandel district, about 120 km south-west of capital Imphal. "Six Assam Rifles soldiers were killed and four injured in the attack with UNLF militants using automatic weapons. The Assam Rifles soldiers were caught unawares with the militants carrying out the strike just before dawn on Saturday," a senior police official said. Four soldiers were wounded in the attack. "The location where the Assam Rifles camp was based is almost on the edge of India's border with Myanmar and the militants may have sneaked back to their bases across the border," the official said. The UNLF, fighting for an independent homeland for the majority Metei community in the state of 2.4 million people, has claimed responsibility for the attack by calling up local newspaper offices. There are over 19 groups active with demands ranging from secession to greater autonomy. Many militant groups have bases in Myanmar with Manipur sharing an unfenced border with the junta-ruled country. |
| Posted by:Steve White |