Imphal, 12 November (HS): Police and security forces have launched a massive search operation to find a total of six civilians, including three women and three minors. It is known that all five people went missing after firing in Jakuradhar Kerong adjacent to Barabekhra on Monday.

Inspector General of Police (Operations) IK Muivah was giving information about yesterday's violence at a press conference held at the State Police Headquarters on Tuesday.

Describing yesterday's incident as unfortunate, the IGP said that the terrorists ignored the warning of the security forces to stop firing and continued the attack without stopping the attack. Then the security forces were forced to stop them. There was a fierce clash between the two sides for about 45 minutes.

He said that during this time a CRPF officer was injured and 10 terrorists were killed. Apart from this, two civilians who had taken shelter in the relief camp set up in Badabekhra police station also died.

IGP Muiva said that eight people are missing since the incident. The bodies of two of them were recovered this morning. Those who are still missing include Yurembam Rani (60), Telim Thoibi Devi (31), her daughter Telim Thajamanbi Devi (8), Laishram Heitombi Devi (35), her two sons Laishram Chingkheinganba Singh (2.5 years) and Laishram Lamanganba Singh (10 months). They were living in a relief camp at the time of the attack.

He confirmed that adequate number of joint security forces have been deployed in sensitive areas of Jiribam district. He said that the police and security forces have made tireless efforts to trace the missing persons. IGP Muivah said that a case has been registered in connection with the attack. We are committed to find the missing people and restore security in the area.

When asked about the claims of various Kuki-based organisations, IGP Muivah refuted their claims and said the recovered weapons and clothes of the deceased prove that they were militants.

Responding to a question, he said 13 people were taking shelter at the relief camp under Barabekhra police station. Six of them went missing, five were rescued and two were killed in the attack.

Weapons and ammunition including three AK series rifles, four self-loading rifles (SLRs), two INSUS rifles, one rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), one pump-action gun, several BP helmets and several magazines were recovered from near the bodies, he said.

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash