Manipur ambush: Top NSCN-K leader arrested

National Investigation Agency (NIA) achieved an important breakthrough in Army ambush case on Monday after it arrested NSCN-K's regional commander, Khumlo Abi Anal from Imphal.

Official sources said Anal was in direct communication through satellite phone with the unit that was controlling the ambush attack on Indian Army in which 18 jawans of 6 Dogra regiment were killed.

"Anal is an important catch. He could help us get to the other cadres and NSCN-K leaders involved in the attack. He has been sent to 14 day Police custody," a senior official said.

Anal hails from Lambung village of Chandel district, which is very close to the place where ambush attack took place.

Indian central security agencies have already identified 10 out of 30 insurgents that had launched lethal ambush attack on Indian Army. The attack was sanctioned by Khaplang on the insistence of ULFA chief Paresh Baruah and planned by Khaplang's commander Niki Sumi, sources added.

Those who have been identified include eight cadres of the Kanglei Yawol Kunna Lup, a Meitei insurgent group and one each from United liberation front of Asom still active under Paresh Baruah and Kamtapur Liberation Organisation, a West Bengal and Assam based insurgent group that wants to establish a separate Kamtapur stare by carving out six district of West Bengal and 4 district of Assam. The group of 30 insurgents also included United liberation front of Manipur but they are yet to be identified.