Itanagar, Feb 13: A self-styled lieutenant of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (Khango Konyak faction) surrendered to security forces in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh on February 13, officials confirmed. Acting on precise intelligence about the presence of a hardcore insurgent in Moktowa area, the Khonsa Battalion of the Assam Rifles launched a focused operation earlier this week. Following sustained persuasion and coordinated efforts, the cadre laid down arms and opted to return to the mainstream.
The surrendered individual has been identified as 32-year-old Wangkhu Lowang, a resident of Moktowa village under Dadam in Tirap. At the Battalion Headquarters in Khonsa, Lowang handed over a 7.65 mm pistol, a magazine, and six live rounds of ammunition. Officials highlighted the surrender as evidence of the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations and continued efforts by security forces to encourage militants to abandon violence. Assam Rifles, in coordination with other agencies, reiterated its commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
The surrender comes amid a series of coordinated intelligence-based operations by the Indian Army and Assam Rifles under Spear Corps, conducted from February 1 to 7 in Manipur districts including Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Tengnoupal, Bishnupur, and Pherzawl, in close cooperation with local police forces. These operations led to the apprehension of seven insurgent cadres and the recovery of 18 weapons, explosives, and other war-like stores.
Notably, on February 1, Assam Rifles and Thoubal Police Commandos arrested an active cadre of Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (SOREPA) in Mayang Imphal, recovering a smartphone and SIM card. On February 2, a concealed insurgent hideout near Tonglhang village was detected, resulting in the seizure of an AK-47 rifle, two pistols, two single-barrel rifles, three radio sets, and 18 improvised explosive devices (IEDs). All IEDs were safely destroyed on-site following established safety protocols.
The surrender of Lowang, combined with the joint operations in Manipur, underscores the sustained push by security forces to weaken insurgent networks and bolster law and order across the Northeast.
