Rahul Gandhi said that the killing of civilians in Nagaland during an Army operation was heartbreaking on Sunday.  According to him, the government must respond honestly. “What exactly is the home ministry doing when neither civilians nor security personnel are safe in our own land?” Rahul Gandhi tweeted. 

At least 14 people were killed, including a jawan, when security forces opened fire on a truck after receiving credible information about the insurgent movement. The exact number of people killed is unknown, and a high-level investigation is underway to determine whether or not the civilians were mistaken for terrorists.

Also Read | ‘Gangster rap’ star Sidhu Moosewala joins Congress, may fight polls next year

The Army has ordered a Court of Inquiry into the incident, which has confirmed one jawan’s death. The incident occurred on Saturday between Oting and Tiru villages when some daily-wage labourers were coming home in a pick-up van from a coal mine, according to police officers. Mon shares a porous international border with Myanmar, which is home to the NSCN (K) Yung Aung faction. 

The incident has been briefed to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief General MM Naravane, according to news agency PTI.

“Based on credible intelligence of likely movement of insurgents, a specific operation was planned to be conducted in the area of Tiru, Mon District, Nagaland. The incident and its aftermath are deeply regretted. The cause of the unfortunate loss of lives is being investigated at the highest level and appropriate action will be taken as per the course of law,” a statement issued by the headquarters of the Army’s 3 Corps said.

Also Read | Opposition MPs stage protest over suspension of 12 Rajya Sabha members

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio condemned the incident and called for an investigation by the SIT. Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, expressed his sorrow over it. “I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives. A high-level SIT constituted by the State govt will thoroughly probe this incident to ensure justice to the bereaved families,” Shah tweeted.

Villagers have protested the incident, and the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation has urged the region’s six tribes to pull back from the ongoing Hornbill Festival. “While expressing deep sorrow and sadness over the indiscriminate firing by Indian security force where more than 10 daily wage labourers from Oting village were blatantly killed, the ENPO vehemently condemn the barbaric act of the security force,” a release issued the organisation said.

“It has to be understood by all concerned that this order/move is not against the State Govt., but to show resentment against the security forces who have committed this heinous crime, and to show solidarity of the 6 tribes,” it said.