Assam Rifles jawan killed, four injured in Changlang ambush near Myanmar border

A soldier of the Assam Rifles was killed and four others injured when a patrol came under fire from suspected militants along the India-Myanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh's Changlang district on Tuesday morning, officials said.

The attack took place around 6.30 a.m. near Nampong Nallah, within the Nampong circle, while personnel of the 21 Assam Rifles were patrolling an area where border fencing work is under way.

According to preliminary reports, the militants opened fire on the patrol team, killing Havildar Jankhokai Kuki, 42, and wounding four others. The injured personnel were being evacuated for medical treatment, and their condition was not immediately known.

Security forces have stepped up operations in the area following the incident, an official said.

Initial inputs pointed to the involvement of militants belonging to the NSCN (K-YA), though there was no official confirmation of the attackers' identity. A formal statement from the Assam Rifles was awaited.

Changlang Superintendent of Police Kirli Padu said he had received information about the incident and had directed the officer-in-charge of the Changlang police station to gather details.

"We have received information about the incident that took place along the India-Myanmar border and have asked the OC of Changlang police station to collect information related to it," Padu said.

The stretch of the India-Myanmar border running through Changlang district has remained sensitive because of the movement of insurgent groups active in the region and across the international boundary.