Kohima: At least 12 Naga underground cadre were killed in a clash between two rival NSCN factions on the outskirts of Dimapur today.

Village elders said cadre from GPRN/NSCN Unification reportedly attacked a camp of NSCN(I-M) in the vicinity of the village following which they retaliated.

Police said 12 bodies of GPRN/NSCN Unification cadre were recovered after the fierce gunbattle between the group and cadre of NSCN(IM) from Seithekima-C village, about 15 km from Dimapur.

Casualty on the other side is yet to be ascertained. Police rushed to the site after receiving reports from the villagers that heavy exchange of fire took place in the area near Chumikedima and recovered the bodies.

With today's killing, nearly 40 people, including civilians and students, have been killed during the past two months in stepped up factional fighting between the two groups of NSCN.

Source : PTI