Dibrugarh: A day ahead of Independence Day, suspected militants of the NSCN-K (YA) faction opened fire on an Assam Rifles post at Longvi in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district early on Friday, triggering a firefight that lasted around 20 minutes. No casualty was reported.Sources said the attack began at around 3.15 am with three to four explosions, suspected to be rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), followed by heavy gunfire. Troops at the post returned fire immediately, and the exchange continued for 15-20 minutes before the attackers fled into the surrounding forest.Preliminary inputs have identified two NSCN-K (YA) cadres — Makam Haseng and Nidgam Sangkey — as among those involved, sources said, adding that further verification is underway as combing operations continue.A search of the area on the firing side led to the recovery of six empty shell casings, now being examined to determine the weapons used and help corroborate responsibility. Security forces have launched combing operations in and around Longvi and adjoining forested areas to track down those involved.The Assam Rifles said the post remained secure and all personnel were accounted for, with no injury despite the intensity of the firing. Officials credited standard security protocols and a swift response for preventing casualties.The incident comes less than 24 hours before Independence Day, amid a joint call by NSCN/GPRN and Ulfa (Independent) urging people in Assam and other parts of the northeast to boycott official programmes on Aug 15. Boycott calls and low-intensity attacks around the date have been reported in parts of the region in previous years.Security agencies have placed the region on heightened alert, with additional deployments reported along sensitive stretches near the India-Myanmar border, where Changlang district is located.
