Advertisement

India arrests rebel leader connected to deadly Manipur ambush

Khumlo Abi Anal is a top leader in the National Socialist Council of Nagaland and is implicated in a June 4 ambush that killed 20 Indian troops near the border with Myanmar.

By Fred Lambert
India's National Investigation Agency said Tuesday it took into custody a rebel leader implicated in a June 4 ambush that resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Indian soldiers in the country's northeastern Manipur state. Image from Google Maps
India's National Investigation Agency said Tuesday it took into custody a rebel leader implicated in a June 4 ambush that resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Indian soldiers in the country's northeastern Manipur state. Image from Google Maps

NEW DELHI, June 30 (UPI) -- India's National Investigation Agency on Tuesday said it took into custody a top leader in a rebel group implicated in a deadly ambush on Indian troops earlier this month.

Khumlo Abi Anal is a member of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, which India has branded a terrorist organization.

Advertisement

India accuses the group of conducting a June 4 ambush that killed at least 20 Indian troops in the country's northeastern Manipur state, near the border with Myanmar. The incident was the worst loss of life Indian armed forces have suffered since 1999 battles in Kashmir.

The Indian military said it destroyed two rebel camps inside Myanmar days after the attack, but Myanmar denied the reports, according to the BBC.

The Times of India reported NIA authorities took Anal into custody Monday "for interrogation" after he was first detained by Manipur Police commandos earlier in the month. The NIA said in a statement that the rebel leader was "extensively involved in the conspiracy to attack the army personnel."

Residents of poorly-developed Manipur, along with other northeastern Indian states, have for years accused the federal government of neglect, leading to unrest and guerrilla activity in the region.

Advertisement

Latest Headlines