Kohima: Eight security personnel were killed on Sunday in an ambush by underground militants in Mon district of Nagaland, defence sources said. Seven Assam Rifles personnel and one Territorial Army jawan lost their lives as they were fired upon by underground militants when they had gone to Changlansu in Mon district with water tankers to fetch water, the sources said.
The Assam Rifles personnel also fired back and one underground militant was killed while some others were injured in the ensuing encounter, they added.
Apprehending some untoward incidents may take place, the security forces were kept on “high alert” along the Assam-Nagaland border in Jorhat district following reports of temporary houses being built by people from Nagaland.
Earlier on the day, Jorhat superintendent of police Amanjit Kaur said “security forces from both the states were kept on high alert” so that no third force could enter either side for creating more problem.
Tension prevailed following reported encroachment of Assam land by people from Nagaland and erecting over 60 huts in the area that falls in the D-sector of the border belt between the two states.
Ms Kaur said the huts were demolished on Sunday morning by the Assam Police in presence of the Nagaland Police after they were confirmed to be illegal by the Jorhat district administration and the Forest Department. Additional forces comprising STF, police commandos and troops were deployed and Assam Police set up seven temporary camps since Saturday.
