Imphal, Nov. 25: The United National Liberation Front (UNLF) today claimed to have killed seven soldiers and wounded several other in separate encounters at Changjal near Phoilen and Tuitung.

There was no casualty on its side, the “senior public officer” of the outfit, K. Yoiheiba, said in a statement.

Denying the army’s claim that its members are fleeing to Myanmar, the statement said a strong offensive by the outfit has halted the security forces from advancing beyond Khenjoy. The statement said there is a massive security-build up at Khenjoy and adjoining Dingpi.

Assam Rifles spokesperson Col. L.M. Pant, however, denied having received any report of casualty so far. Two soldiers, havildar Bharat Patil and rifleman Md Iqbal, were wounded during the offensive, the army said. The two have been admitted to the army hospital at Leimakhong.

Pant said security forces have captured parts of Khenjoy and Sehlon ridges in Somtal, which had been under UNLF control for more than a decade, during a weeklong offensive along the Indo-Myanmar border.

The army and Assam Rifles jointly launched the offensive on November 18 to free 1,000 square km of land in Somtal of Chandel district from the rebels.

Security forces have managed to capture more than 40 per cent of Somtal, Pant said. The troops have captured L. Dongjoi Moljol along the Khenjoy ridge and Phoilen along the Sehlon ridge.

“The militants put up a fierce resistance by firing mortars and automatic weapons. But the troops are moving ahead clearing more areas. The militants started fleeing towards Myanmar after laying IEDs,” he added. The army used choppers to provide supplies to the soldiers. They also used bulldozers to clear the road and IEDs. There is no report of rebel casualty.

The troops recovered and destroyed 57 IEDs laid by the outfit during its operation.

This is the fourth major offensive launched by security forces after they moved into Somtal in December last year.

The soldiers shot dead eight militants and destroyed 125 IEDs during the operation that continued till January.

The troops launched another operation in April-May, and captured T. Nampao, a village where the UNLF and its military wing, Manipur Peoples Army, had set up camps. The soldiers killed five militants and destroyed 12 IEDs. A large quantity of arms and ammunition was recovered.

The security forces launched another offensive at Khumkot village in July. Three militants were killed and five injured in the offensive, the spokesman said.

A source said the army is planning to set up bases at Somtal.

The security forces turned its focus on Somtal after clearing Sajik Tampak — another rebel stronghold in Chandel district.