Army troops in a joint operation eliminated five hardcore PREPAK militants in Loktak Lake near Imphal today.

In a surgically executed pre-dawn raid on 09 September 08, the Army in Manipur alongwith Bishenpur Police Commandos destroyed a hideout of the PREPAK “ Cobra Task Force” in the hithertofore inaccessible Loktak Lake. The raid which was the first of its kind in the Loktak Lake resulted in elimination of five hardcore militants, apprehension of one woman cadre, recovery of nine sophisticated weapons to include Rocket Launcher, 60 MM Mortar, Universal Machine Gun, Lathode and five assault rifles along with huge quantity of assorted ammunition and war like stores.

Vital inputs on the hideout inside the Loktak Lake had been willingly provided by local villagers who are fed up with the extortion and diktats of the UGs. The locals are also upset with the UGs for their actions of firing on the Security Forces in populated areas which is endangering their lives. These militants have been responsible for carrying out stand off attacks and ambushes on SF personnel recently around the Loktak Lake and then disappearing into their safe haven. As a result of these attacks a number of civilians including women have been injured .

The success of this extremely difficult operation was due to the high levels of training imparted to Security Forces, for this particular task close cooperation with Bishenpur Police Commandos, and the enthusiastic support of the local population. Informed sources revealed that latest state of art weapons, sophisticated technology and techniques were utilised to execute this operation.