By IANS
Imphal : Six paramilitary troopers were killed and four wounded Saturday in an ambush by separatist militants in Manipur, officials said.
A police spokesman said militants of the outlawed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) ambushed a post of the paramilitary Assam Rifles at village Minou in Chandel district, about 120 km southwest of capital Imphal.
“Six Assam Rifles soldiers were killed and four injured in the attack with UNLF militants using automatic weapons. The Assam Rifles soldiers were literally caught unawares with the militants carrying out the strike just before dawn Saturday,” a senior police official said. Four soldiers were wounded in the attack.
“The location where the Assam Rifles camp was based is almost on the edge of India’s border with Myanmar and probably the militants might have sneaked back to their bases across the border,” the official said.
The UNLF, fighting for an independent homeland for the majority Metei community in the state of 2.4 million people, has claimed responsibility for the attack by calling up local newspaper offices.
There are more than 19 militant groups active in Manipur with demands ranging from secession to greater autonomy.
A number of militant groups have bases in Myanmar with Manipur sharing an unfenced border with the military junta-ruled country.