NSCN(IM) cadre arrested in Arunachal’s Longding

Dibrugarh: An NSCN(IM) carde was arrested in Arunachal Pradesh’s Longding district on Friday in a joint operation by the Assam Rifles, special task force (STF) and Longding police.The arrested cadre has been identified as self-styled captain Ponglem Wangpan, 35, a resident of Longsom village in Longding district.He was found in possession of a cache of arms and ammunition, including one 5.56mm INSAS rifle, one 9mm pistol, one INSAS magazine, one pistol magazine, 18 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, and two rounds of 9mm ammunition.According to officials, Wangpan was leading a team of four members that had infiltrated Longding with the specific intention of kidnapping or eliminating an undisclosed target.The operation was conducted at Tissing, near Zedua village under the jurisdiction of Longding police station, following credible intelligence inputs about the movement of armed militants in the area.“The swift and coordinated action by the joint security forces successfully thwarted what could have been a grave terror incident. A potentially dangerous situation was averted due to timely intelligence and prompt response,” an Assam Rifles official said.Security forces have launched extensive combing and search operations across several other locations in the district to track down the remaining members of the group and any other operatives who may be active in the area.