Overview

• Security forces on patrol in Pongchau Circle engaged militants after receiving intelligence on their movement, resulting in two fatalities during the June 5 encounter.
• The militants opened fire with heavy-calibre weapons before withdrawing across the international border into Myanmar under cover of dense forest.
• Defence officials suspect the slain cadres belonged to the NSCN-K-YA faction, which has not signed a ceasefire with New Delhi despite talks with other Naga groups.
• This operation follows the neutralisation of 10 militants in Manipur’s Chandel district on May 14 and three militants killed in the same Arunachal district on April 27.
• Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram share a 1,643-km unfenced border with Myanmar, prompting coordinated surveillance and combing operations by the Army, Assam Rifles and intelligence agencies.