Assam Rifles jawan killed, four injured in suspected militant ambush in Arunachal Pradesh

An Assam Rifles jawan was killed and four others injured after a patrol team came under suspected militant fire near the India-Myanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district on Tuesday, officials said.

The attack took place at around 6.30 am near Nampong Nallah under Nampong circle, where personnel of the 21 Assam Rifles were patrolling an area where border fencing work is underway, according to officials.

The deceased has been identified as 42-year-old Havildar Jankhokai Kuki. The four injured personnel were evacuated for medical treatment, with further details about their condition awaited.

Preliminary reports have pointed to the possible involvement of cadres of the NSCN-K-YA, the Yung Aung faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang. However, officials have not confirmed the identity or affiliation of the attackers.

Security forces have launched search operations in the area to track the suspected militants following the attack.

The incident occurred in Changlang, one of Arunachal Pradesh’s districts bordering Myanmar and part of the state’s wider insurgency-affected belt. The area has witnessed militant activity in the past, particularly along stretches of the India-Myanmar border.

The attack also comes as work is underway to strengthen security along the India-Myanmar border, including fencing in parts of the frontier. Officials have yet to provide details on the number of militants involved or whether there were casualties among the attackers.