Four ULFA rebels killed in separate encounters in Assam

Guwahati, Dec 31 (UNI) Altogether four hardcore ULFA militants were killed in two separate encounters in Guwahati and Tinsukia district.

In an encounter in Bhetapara area of Guwahati, a cadre of the '709 battalion' of the ULFA, was killed last night. Additional Superintendent of Police Debojit Deori today said acting on a tip-off, a joint team of the CRPF and state police conducted a raid at a house at about 0130 hours.

When the security personnel demanded to know where the owner of the house was, another man fired at them and was killed in retaliatory fire.

Mr Deori said the slain militant was earlier arrested in February in connection with a grenade blast. He was later released on bail.

In a separate encounter, at least three ULFA rebels were killed by the Army at Dibru-Saikhowa national park in Upper Assam's Tinsukia district early today.

Defence sources said the encounter took place at around 0430 hours when troops of the Dibrugarh-based 11 Guards Regiment were conducting an operation inside the national park, acting on a tip-off that 5-6 cadres were holed up there.

The rebels opened fire from a transit camp, prompting the security men to retaliate. At least three unidentified ULFA cadres were killed, while the others managed to flee, army sources said.

The Army suspect that the group comprised six to seven cadres, who had recently entered Assam after training in Myanmar. The rebels were planning to strike during the panchayat elections in the state, the Army said.

One pistol, two grenades, 400 rounds of ammunition, two IEDs, some ULFA pads, camp aids and some rations were recovered from the camp. The Army said two other cadres might have sustained injuries, but had managed to escape in the darkness. Combing operations were on in the area.

UNI