Four cadres of Naga rebel group killed in Arunachal

Tirap: Four cadres of the Naga militant group Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim-Reformation (NSCN-R) were gunned down in Arunachal Pradesh's Tirap district early on Thursday, the Assam Rifles (AR) said.

Two AK-47 assault rifles and a pistol were recovered from the slain militants.

The gunfight occurred at the remote Kheti village, seven km from Khonsa, the district headquarters of Tirap, Assam Rifles spokesman Lt. Col. Rahul Josan said. 

The four were allegedly involved in extortion, arms dealing and drug peddling. They were Captain Jano Tekwa, Sergeant Major Lombho Pangsa, Sergeant Tongbai and Corporal Mankhu Wangsa. 

"Assam Rifles troopers cordoned off the area on Wednesday night after a tip-off. One of the three columns came under heavy firing as it approached the militants camp, forcing the troopers to retaliate," the spokesman said. 

In the ensuing gun battle, the four militants were killed. 

The NSCN-R is a breakaway faction of the banned NSCN-Khaplang, a Myanmar-based rebel outfit.