Imphal: Assam Rifles on Saturday transferred a cadre of Manipur-based insurgent group PREPAK (PRO) to Kakching Police. Identified as Self-Styled Sergeant Major Robert Lalhahdam from Saikot, Churachandpur District, he was reportedly captured during a recent encounter involving Myanmar’s People’s Defense Force (PDF) and Kuki National Front (KNF-B) at Lalim, Myanmar on October 23.
Assam Rifles officials disclosed that Robert Lalhahdam was handed over to them by villagers from Myanmar. An INSAS Excalibur Rifle from his possession was also presented. Reports indicate that he crossed into Myanmar in 2018, joining PREPAK (PRO) under the leadership of Chairman Paliba and Self-Styled Captain Oinam Babu, alias Gulu.
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Manipur Police also took to X and said, “On October 25, 2024, security forces apprehended one cadre of PREPAK(PRO) namely, Robert Lalhahdam at Yanghoubung village near Indo Myanmar border and recovered 01 (one) INSAS Excalibur Rifle from his possession.”
As per Assam Rifles, on October 23, Robert and 38 other cadres engaged in an encounter with PDF forces in Myanmar near Ukhrul district border. During the encounter, two PREPAK (PRO) cadres and a self-styled captain from the proscribed RPF/PLA were killed.
Another PREPAK (PRO) cadre was captured by the PDF, with videos of the incident circulating on social media. The viral video shows the captured Valley-Based Insurgent Group (VBIG) cadre, donning a Myanmar Army uniform, speaking in Manipuri over the phone, suggesting he is the same person the Assam Rifles transferred to Kakching Police on Saturday.
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