Was Nagaland killings a case of mistaken identify? Here's what the Army has to say

After 11 civilians were killed by security forces during an anti-insurgency operation in Mon district of Nagaland, the police are investigating whether it was a case of mistaken identity.

A group of daily-wage earners was returning home in a pick-up van from a coal mine on Saturday evening in Mon district when the vehicle was allegedly fired upon by Army personnel, who were conducting an operation in the area after receiving inputs on the movement of militants of Yung Aung faction of proscribed outfit NSCN (K), the police said.

Mon shares a porous international border with Myanmar, where the Yung Aung faction of NSCN (K) is based.

Security forces meanwhile said it was a case of mistaken identity as the forces were sitting in an ambush when the truck arrived on the scene. Either the truck was caught in the crossfire between forces and insurgents or the truck was mistaken to be the vehicle carrying the insurgents, sources said. Both angles are being investigated.