The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a key member of Naga insurgent group NSCN(K) for allegedly being a part of conspiracy to carry out the June 4 ambush that killed 18 Army men in Manipur.

Khumlo Abi Anal, the self-styled ‘regional commander’ of NSCN(K), is alleged to be a part of the conspiracy that was hatched to carry out the attack on the jawans at Chandel area of Manipur on June four, the NIA said.

The accused has been produced before Special Judge, NIA, who remanded him to the agency’s custody till July seven.

The officials said that after the attack, Anal got himself arrested in a different case to evade his role in the ambush.

However, during investigation, his role started surfacing after which he was subjected to questioning by NIA sleuths. He finally broke down and has reportedly admitted to being part of the conspiracy, they said.

Giving details about the investigations, the NIA officials said that 23 NSCN(K) members participated in the attack, including the two killed, who were killed in the incident. Out of the remaining 21, the NIA has been able to identify 14 members, who had carried out the ambush.

The militants had come in three groups and carried out the attack, they said.

During the investigations, the NIA examined several surrendered militants of NSCN(K), who also helped them identify many of the accused in the case.