Daijiworld Media Network - Imphal

Imphal, Aug 23: Assam Rifles and Manipur Police have apprehended a senior militant of the outlawed People's Liberation Army (PLA), carrying a Rs 4 lakh bounty, in a joint counter-insurgency operation in Manipur, officials said on Sunday.

A defence spokesperson said self-styled PLA Captain Thiyam Boycha Singh alias Balin, 28, was arrested from Ushoipokpi in Thoubal district on Saturday night.

The operation was launched following intelligence developed by the Assam Rifles indicating the militant's presence in Bishnupur district. Security forces subsequently conducted a targeted search operation on Saturday evening and intercepted the suspected PLA cadre.

On-the-spot questioning established his identity as Balin, who was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and carried a bounty of Rs 4 lakh.

He is also a key accused in the November 13, 2021, Churachandpur ambush, in which Assam Rifles Colonel Viplav Tripathi, his wife, their young son and four other personnel were killed.

Alleged militant activities

Initial questioning indicated that Singh had been involved in PLA activities, including undergoing training and staying for an extended period at a militant camp in Myanmar.

Officials said he was also involved in the procurement and transfer of war-like stores and maintained links with other militant groups.

The arrested cadre was handed over to Manipur Police at Lilong Police Station in Thoubal district on Saturday night for further legal proceedings.

The operation highlighted the coordination between Assam Rifles and Manipur Police in efforts to maintain peace and security in the region, an official statement said.

2021 ambush

On November 13, 2021, an ambush in the hilly area of Churachandpur district killed Colonel Viplav Tripathi, then Commanding Officer of the Khuga Battalion of Assam Rifles, along with his wife Anuja, 36, their son Abir, 5, and four other personnel of the paramilitary force.

Colonel Tripathi was an alumnus of the 102 National Defence Academy (NDA) Course, M Squadron. After graduating from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in May 2002, he was commissioned into the 2 Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army.