HT Correspondent
DIBRUGARH, July 1: In a fierce encounter between United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent and security forces, one ULFA(I) cadre was gunned down in Upper Assam’s Tinsukia district on Friday.
The deceased has been identified as Gyan Asom.
Confirming the incident, DIG Jitmol Doley said, “One ULFA(I) militant has been gunned down. We suspect that at least 2-3 members of the group have been injured in the exchange of fire. A large amount of arms and ammunition has been recovered. Our search operation is still underway. All adjacent villages and escape routes have been cordoned off so that the militants cannot escape.”
According to sources, the security forces received information regarding the presence of six ULFA(I) cadres led by Rupon Asom taking shelter at Dapather Majgaon under Kakopathar police station.
“After receiving the input, a joint team of 14 Assam Regiment and police launched an operation. The security team came under heavy gunfire as soon as they approached the house where the cadres had taken shelter. They also attacked the security team with two grenades,” sources said.
“In retaliatory fire, two cadres sustained bullet injuries as they tried to flee towards the path from the backyard of the house,” sources added.
Later, the body of one cadre was recovered.
“A bag containing an IED has been recovered from the house where they were hiding. The group entered the house in the wee hours of Friday and took shelter on gun point,” the source said.
Meanwhile, security forces have launched a combing operation to nab the ULFA(I) cadres.