Another female cadre of the outfit who sustained bullet injuries has also been arrested even as the combined force busted two hideouts recovering a huge cache of arms and ammunition including RDX.
Describing the operation carried out without any collateral damages, as a major success, DGP Y Joykumar has claimed that the operation has broken the backbone of the PREPAK’s Cobra Task Force.
According to villagers, subsequent to the last evening encounter with Bishnupur Police Commandos at Toubul Pat Mamang under Bishnupur Police Station, troopers of the 4/8 Gurkha Rifles under 57 Mountain Division posted at ITI complex, Ning-thoukhong joined hands with the district police commandos in carrying out search operation in Loktak lake with use of boats since last night with deployment of adequate security personnel along the roads leading to the lake.
Talking to mediapersons in connection with the operation at Police Headquar- ters here this afternoon, DGP Y Joykumar informed that the operation was launched at Ngakrapat in Loktak lake on the eastern side of Nachou village from 4 am to 6 am after a reconnaissance mission was carried out thoroughly.
Stating that it was a well-planned operation with coordination between the Army and the Police Commandos, DGP said that five cadres of PREPAK Cobra Task Force, which was behind the recent bomb attack at the Chief Minister’s bungalow were killed during the operation while another female cadre sustained bullet injuries. The injured female cadre has been admitted in the security ward of JN Hospital.
Besides the five cadres, the DGP said some more cadres may have also been killed and their bodies may have sunk in the lake.
Detailing the arms and ammunition recovered from the two busted hideouts of the outfit, the DGP said that the cache include four AK-56 Rifles, one M-79 (Lethod Gun), one M-16 UBGL, one 60 mm mortar, one M-81 UMG, one RPG launcher, 22 Lethod Bombs, three RPG shells, five RPG Chargers (Booster), five Mortar bombs, five Chinese made hand grenades, one 36 HE grenade, 4 kgs of RDX, 13 AK magazines, two M-16 magazines, 1200 rounds of AK ammunition, 13 wireless sets, three binoculars and a good number of detonators.
For intensified and regular patrolling at Loktak Lake, the DGP further informed that along with the approval already given by the State Government on setting up Loktak Protection Force, State Police would be inducting hovercrafts for the purpose.
Officials of Coast Guard, BSF, Army and personnel from Kolkata Shipyard have already inspected the lake and recommended that hovercrafts can be used on Loktak lake, the DGP added.
Responding to a question on whether the operation is being carried out to clear Loktak Lake of UG elements, the DGP replied in the affirmative and added that today’s operation would give a serious setback to PREPAK Cobra Task Force.
GOC of 57th Mountain Division Major General TS Handa who was also present during the press conference observed that success of the operation was mainly to the credit of the co-operation given by the locals to the security forces and this is indeed a welcome development.
According to information received by the press, no fishermen were allowed to venture out to Loktak lake to catch fish during the course of the operation.
After the operation, the DGP and the GOC came down to Ningthoukhong to inspect the cache.
In connection with the operation, a press handout of the PIB Defence Wing said the success of this extremely difficult operation was due to the high level of training of security forces, close co-ordination with Bishnupur Police Comman-dos and the enthusiastic support of the local population.
Vital inputs on the hideout had been willingly provided villagers who are fed up with the extortion and misbehaviour of the UGs.
GOC 57 Mountain Division Major Gen TS Handa who was personally involved in co-ordinating the operation has congratulated all troops of the Army and the Police for this brilliantly executed and extremely difficult operation and has also thanked the local villagers of Bishnupur district for their willing support, the PIB (DW) handout added.
The Sangai Express
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