After nearly two months of intensive counter-insurgency operations, security forces have taken over the border village of New Samtal from the control of the UNLF, bringing an end to the main thrust of Operation Samtal 2. According to senior Assam Rifles officers, the entire Samtal Salient has been cleared of militant presence as of now. Brig Raymond Noronha, commander, 27 Sector AR, told mediapersons that UNLF cadres had retreated into Myanmar. While the intial push had been given by two AR battalions, the final thrust for New Samtal was undertaken by the 10 Jammu-Kashmir Light Infantry. Till date, security forces have detected and neutralised nearly 200 IEDs, with 30 being detected at New Samtal alone. During Operation Samtal 2, nearly 700 sqkm of area in the Samtal Salient has been covered, in which 19 villages in the region were cleared. During the operation, troops claim to have killed 14 militants and destroyed at least five major UNLF camps. Over 10 jawans suffered injuries due to IED explosions. Senior AR officers said now the focus would be on restoring civil administration in the area as soon as possible and the Chandel DC and SP were scheduled to visit the reclaimed area within this week.
