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ULFA(I) Insurgent Surrenders in Arunachal, Hands Over Pistol & Ammo

A hardcore cadre of the ULFA(I) faction surrendered to the Khonsa Battalion of the Assam Rifles in Arunachal Pradesh's Tirap district. The insurgent, identified as self-styled 2nd Lieutenant Bitul Baruah, was persuaded to lay down arms following a focused operation based on credible intelligence. He deposited a .40 calibre pistol, a magazine, and two live rounds upon his surrender. The event highlights the security forces' continued efforts to motivate insurgents to return to the mainstream through persuasive tactics.

Key Points: ULFA(I) Cadre Surrenders to Assam Rifles in Arunachal Pradesh

  • Insurgent persuaded to surrender
  • Intelligence-based operation successful
  • .40 calibre pistol recovered
  • Part of ongoing peace efforts
2 min read

ULFA (I) cadre surrenders in Arunachal Pradesh's Tirap district

Hardcore ULFA(I) insurgent Bitul Baruah surrenders in Tirap district, depositing a pistol and ammunition after a persuasive operation by security forces.

"Sustained operational pressure and persistent negotiations eventually convinced the insurgent to shun the path of violence - Defence Spokesman"

Itanagar, March 3

A hardcore insurgent of the United Liberation Front of Asom surrendered to security forces at Khonsa in Arunachal Pradesh's Tirap district on Tuesday, officials said.

A defence spokesman said that based on credible intelligence inputs about the presence of a hardcore cadre of the ULFA (I) faction in the Horu Chinghan area, a focused operation was conducted by the Khonsa Battalion of the Assam Rifles from its Company Operating Base (COB) at Noglo.

On reaching the suspected location, sources were activated and tasked with establishing contact with the insurgent and persuading him to surrender, the spokesman said.

Sustained operational pressure and persistent negotiations eventually convinced the insurgent to shun the path of violence and return to the mainstream. The efforts yielded a positive response, and the insurgent agreed to lay down arms. He was subsequently taken into custody at COB Noglo.

The surrendered militant has been identified as self-styled 2nd Lieutenant Bitul Baruah (31), a member of the ULFA (I) faction.

During the surrender, he deposited one .40 calibre pistol with a magazine and two live rounds of .40 calibre ammunition.

An official statement said that the successful surrender underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-based operations and the humane, persuasive approach adopted by the Khonsa Battalion of the Assam Rifles.

The force remains committed to maintaining peace, security and stability in the region and continues to motivate misguided youth to return to the mainstream, it added.

Khonsa, a small hill town nestled in a valley and surrounded by the Himalayas, is the headquarters of Tirap district in Arunachal Pradesh.

The ULFA (I), led by 68-year-old Paresh Baruah, has been involved in insurgent activities mainly in Assam for over four decades.

Meanwhile, security forces in Arunachal Pradesh last month foiled a major terror plot by arresting a militant of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) and recovering a cache of arms and ammunition during a joint operation in the border district of Longding.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Good news for the peace in the Northeast. But we must also ask why a 31-year-old man joined such a group in the first place. The government needs to focus on development and job creation in these areas to prevent radicalization. The surrender is just the first step.
A
Aman W
Intelligence-based operations are key. Kudos to our security forces for their patience and strategy. Surrendering with just a pistol shows maybe he wasn't that "hardcore"? Still, every person coming back to the mainstream is a victory for peace.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has visited Arunachal, it's a breathtakingly beautiful state. It's sad that such insurgency issues persist. Glad this ended without violence. Hope tourism and connectivity can bring more prosperity and stability to regions like Tirap.
V
Vikram M
ULFA(I) has caused enough pain in Assam for decades. Paresh Baruah is still out there. While one surrender is good, the real success will be when the top leadership is neutralized and the entire organization is dismantled. The fight is far from over.
K
Kriti O
Respectfully, the article reads a bit like a PR piece for the Assam Rifles. I'm glad for the surrender, but we rarely hear about what happens *after*. What is the surrender policy? What guarantee does he have for his future? Transparency is important.

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