Ten suspected Indian rebels killed by Bangla security forces

Dhaka, Jun 12 (UNI) At least ten suspected Indian rebels were killed today during a heavy exchange of fire with security forces in the remote hilly area in Bangladesh's southeastern Rangamat hill district, sources said.

The Army and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel jointly conducted the operation to dismantle a tipped-off hideout of the operatives at 0400 hrs when an encounter ensued.

Security sources said the ten militants were killed on the spot.

''The casualty figure might go up,'' they said.

However, the sources could not confirm whether the rebels belonged to the ATTF or NLFT rebel group in northeastern India.

UNI XC RA ND2234