Fierce encounter between TSR and NLFT

Agartala, Nov 22 (UNI) A fierce encounter erupted today between the 3rd battalion of the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) and National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), Biswamohan faction, at Duraichara in Tripura's Dhalai District.

No casualty has been reported from either side so far.

TSR jawans recovered one AK-47 series rifle and one Self loading Rifle (SLR) from the spot. Police suspect two militants received bullet injuries but their managed to escape along with the others leaving behind the arms.

Police stated that the incident occurred just a few minutes after Chief Minister Manik Sarkar's convoy passed through the area. The Chief Minister was in Dhalai District to review the law and order situation in the insurgency affected district.

Police said the encounter took place when a contingent of TSR personnel led by Kamalpur police station Sub-Inspector was on a combing operation to flush out militants holed inside remote areas.

''It was a chance encounter in which both sides traded heavy fire for about half an hour. The militants fled away with two injured comrades leaving behind two sophisticated weapons,'' said a top police official.

Senior police officials reached the spot with reinforcement. A massive manhunt was launched to nab the fleeing militants.

UNI PD KK Mir RK1735