Two active members of the banned militant outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) surrendered before security forces at Pangsu Pass in Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday night, officials said.The surrendered cadres were identified as Lekang Axom alias Ashok Sonowal (31) and Nipen Axom alias Biplav Buragohain (31). According to officials, both were active members of the outfit and held the ranks of SS Corporal and SS Lance Corporal respectively.Sources said Lekang Axom is a resident of Mahadevpur in Arunachal Pradesh, while Nipen Axom belongs to Gohaingaon in Assam’s Dhemaji district.
Preliminary information gathered by security agencies suggested that both cadres had deserted the outfit’s General Headquarters located at Ranu on May 3. After leaving the camp, the two reportedly travelled on foot through difficult terrain before finally reaching the security post at Pangsu Pass, where they surrendered before the forces. Security officials said the two cadres are currently being questioned to gather information regarding the outfit’s recent activities, strength, internal movements and operations near the India-Myanmar border. Investigators are also expected to seek inputs on the functioning of camps located across the border and the present condition of insurgent networks operating in the region.
The surrender is being viewed as an important development by security agencies engaged in counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast. Officials believe such incidents may weaken militant organisations and encourage more cadres to leave underground groups and return to mainstream society.Pangsu Pass, located near the India-Myanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district, has remained a strategically sensitive area due to past insurgent movement routes and cross-border activities. Over the years, security forces have intensified surveillance and operations in the border belt to curb insurgent activities and strengthen security coordination in the region.
