3 ULFA (I), Army Major & civilian dead
An Army officer, a civilian and three United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) cadres were killed in an encounter that took place near Lapa village under Tizit sub-division of Mon district late Tuesday evening, official sources said. Three army jawans were also injured in the encounter.
An Army officer, a civilian and three United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) cadres were killed in an encounter that took place near Lapa village under Tizit sub-division of Mon district late Tuesday evening, official sources said. Three army jawans were also injured in the encounter.
The deceased army officer was identified as Major David Manlun of the 2nd Naga Battalion attached to 164 Territorial (H&H) Army Battalion. The ULFA (I) cadres were identified as Bhonenpro (2nd Lieutenant), Bipul Asom (31), Dikam Konwar (26) and the civilian, reportedly an auto driver was identified Rajendra Gupta (50).
Sources said that at around 10.40 p.m. Tuesday night, based on a tip-off, a combined team of 164 TA, 12 Para commandos and 35 Assam Rifles trailed the fully armed ULFA cadres who were reportedly travelling in two autorickshaws. The encounter broke out as soon as the joint team came across the militants. In the ensuing encounter, Major David Manlun of 164 TA was martyred and three jawans of the 12 para commandos sustained injuries. Three ULFA (I) cadres were also killed during the encounter including the autodriver while the other militants reportedly fled from the scene in the other autorickshaw, sources said.
The injured army personnel were airlifted to Military Hospital, Jorhat.
The vehicle (gypsy) in which the army team was travelling was riddled with bullets while the autorickshaw in which the militants were travelling was seized.
Police sources, however, said that they are yet to confirm the link between the auto driver and the ultras.
One AK 47 rifle, two M-69 rifle, nine magazines, 271 rounds of 7.62 mm, six rounds of 5.56 mm, two Chinese make grenades, one knife, four mobile handsets and other personal belongings, including medicines and food items were recovered during the search operation after the encounter. Army sources said that the militants had sneaked in from Myanmar into Mon district to carry out attacks against army personnel. A major search operation has been launched to nab fleeing militants, army officials said.
Meanwhile, the body of Major David Manlum was flown to Shillong for the last rites.
PRO IGAR (N) claimed that the cadres belonged to a joint group of NSCN (K) and ULFA (I). After receiving inputs, PRO said security forces launched an operation and were in the process of establishing a mobile check post when the armed terrorists travelling in an autorickshaw sped past. On being pursued the militants opened fire on the security forces, PRO added.