Fierce gunbattle was reported between insurgents of the Manipur Peoples Army and security personnel from Chaljong and surrounding villages in interior Chandel district bordering Myanmar on Thursday, official sources said.

The sources said that insurgents opened fire from a distance at Chaljang area and security personnel returned the fire. But there were no casualties on the side of Assam Rifles.

Official sources said security forces had intensified counter-insurgency operations along Khengjoi hill range, Dingpi and several villages including Chaljang since November 25 to flush out MPA insurgents.

Sources said that large parts of the region were dominated by MPA insurgents and added that security forces would attempt to drive them out with additional forces.