In a significant development targeting the remaining pockets of insurgency in Eastern Arunachal Pradesh, joint security forces have successfully apprehended a high-value functionary of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K–Niki Sumi) faction. The operation, executed in the volatile Tirap district, delivers a major blow to the group’s operational and logistical capabilities in the area.
The Khonsa Battalion of the Assam Rifles, in close coordination with the Arunachal Pradesh Police, launched the specialised mission codenamed “Ops Hukanjuri-II” on Wednesday. The target area, Hukanjuri, is part of the sensitive Tirap district, which shares borders with Myanmar and Nagaland and has historically been crucial for the movement and hideouts of various insurgent groups.
The mission was triggered by precise and highly credible intelligence, meticulously verified by multiple security channels including specialised intelligence battalions.
Acting swiftly on this actionable information, a combined column of the 44 Assam Rifles troops and state police conducted a precise intervention. This well-planned action culminated in the successful apprehension of the self-styled Captain Jenlong Waktham, 31, identified as an active and armed member of the NSCN (K–Niki Sumi) faction.
The operation also resulted in the recovery of critical evidence of the commander’s operational role: one pistol, one magazine, and six live rounds of ammunition. Significantly, a mobile phone and a PAN card were also recovered, suggesting Captain Waktham was actively involved in both the combat aspects and the civil-facing logistics of the organisation, potentially including extortion and coordinating movement across state lines.
The apprehended cadre, along with all recovered arms and materials, was handed over to the Khonsa Police station for detailed investigation and legal proceedings under relevant sections of the law.
In a statement, the Assam Rifles said, “The swift and decisive action highlights the continued resolve of the Assam Rifles and the Arunachal Pradesh Police towards maintaining peace, strengthening security, and curbing insurgent activities in the sensitive border region.”
