Guwahati, Jul 16 (IANS): In a major breakthrough against NSCN (IM), a joint operation by Army, Assam Rifles and Assam Police, have arrested an NSCN (IM)commander, 'Major' Anok Wangsa, who is believed to be involved in the killing of Tirong Aboh, an MLA from Arunachal Pradesh.

Wangsa is the deputy of self-styled 'Major General' Absolom Tangkhul of NSCN (IM).

Aboh, a sitting legislator from Khansa West constituency in Arunachal Pradesh, was killed along with ten others, including his minor son, on May 23 this year. Th role of NSCN (IM) was suspected behind the incident.

"A major breakthrough in the conduct of a highly successful surgical operation resulting in apprehension of the NSCN-IM area commander of Longding-Charaideo-Mon region has been carried out. Based on specific information, a joint operation of Indian Army, Assam Rifles and Assam Police was carried out on Sunday, resulting in the apprehension of self-styled Major Anok Wangsa, area commander of NSCN-IM," Guwahati-based defence PRO Lt. Col. P Khongsai said on Monday.

"The operation was launched in the early hours of Sunday which involved search of a designated area and laying of ambushes on suspected routes to intercept the cadre," said Col. P Khongsai.

"Around 3.30 a.m. one of the teams intercepted a vehicle which was moving on the Namtola-Jampan Axis and immediately identified and apprehended the individual. Search of the vehicle yielded concealed weapons and ammunition," said the officer.

He said the individual confirmed that he had hidden more weapons, ammunition and war-like stores in his house located along Assam-Nagaland border.

The teams then carried out a detailed search of his house which resulted in recovery of a large cache of arms, ammunition and war-like stores and more than Rs five Lakh in cash.