Twelve National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang cadres were killed in a fierce clash between rival factions of the NSCN at a place between Kelhozhe and Seithekima villages in Dimapur town on Wednesday.

Official sources said cadres of both factions of NSCN were engaged in a fierce gun battle from 0430 hours resulting in the death of at least 12 NSCN-K cadres.

On getting information, officials of the district administration rushed to the area, but could not reach the spot due to heave firing which took place at a teak plantation between the Kelhozhe and Seithekima villages.

Intermittent gunfire continued till 1300 hours.

Sources said the casualty might be more, as police could not reach the area.

However, unofficial sources maintained that at least 13 NSCN-K rebels and an NSCN(Isak-Muivah) militants were killed in the gunbattle.

Meanwhile, Dimapur Deputy Commissioner Moangwati held an emergency meeting of the District Ceasefire Monitoring Board with the representatives of the army, Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force, NGOs and senior public leaders to defuse the situation, sources said.