BENGALURU: In a joint operation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Central Crime Branch police, an alleged terrorist of Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland’s Khaplang faction (NSCN-K) was arrested from a lodge on M.G. Road, where he was working for the last few months.
Atoshe Chopey, 27, is the arrested terror suspect and he is the prime accused in a terror attack carried out by NSCN (K) on Assam Rifles personnel at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima of Nagaland on March 26, 2015.
The NIA, which was probing the case since May, had arrested two hardcore NSCN (K) cadres Khekaho Rochill, a self-styled Finance Secretary of the banned terror outfit, and Kisheto Ayem, self-styled Major, Town Commander of Kohima of the organisation.
The NIA had also filed chargesheet against them in November. Ranjit Thapa, the driver of the car used in the shoot-out was also chargesheeted.
“NIA investigators have been closely tracking the group of four absconding accused and based on specific inputs developed, Atoshe was tracked to a location near M.G. Road in Bengaluru, where he had been hiding using a false identity and working at a local lodge with the assistance of his relatives. He was detained from the lodge and arrested later, after confirmation of his identity. During preliminary interrogation, he has confessed to his involvement in the crime,” the NIA stated.
“Atoshe Chopey hails from from Zunheboto district of Nagaland and is an active cadre of armed wing of NSCN (K), a banned terrorist organisation. He was a part of four member team of NSCN (K) which carried out the attack with AK rifles and pistols on an unarmed group of Assam Rifles personnel waiting for a bus at a bus stop in Kohima.
One Assam Rifle personnel was killed in the attack and three were grievously injured. The attack marked the abrogation of long standing ceasefire between NSCN (K) and the central government, and NSCN (K) leaders proclaimed the abrogation through the press release to media after the attack,” NIA added.
Atoshe was produced before a local magistrate and taken into custody by the NIA. He has been booked under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosive Substances Act, murder and other charges.
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