Senior ULFA rebels among eight killed in encounter

Itanagar, Apr 10 (UNI) At least eight ULFA rebels, including two women cadres, were killed in an encounter with the army in Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh late last night.

Official sources told UNI from Namsai that the ultras were killed in a fieree gun battle with the personnel of 7/11 Gorkha regiment at Tekelibam area in Lathao circle of Namsai sub division, bordering Asom.

Acting on a tipoff, the army personnel braving inclement weather, cordoned off the area and in the ensuing exchange of fire that lasted nearly three hours, eight ULFA rebels were killed. The slain militants include Joon Bhuyan and Pranab Rajkhowa, both self-styled 'sergeant major' of the outfit.

Sources informed that some more rebels were believed to have fled.

A large cache of arms, including AK series rifles and grenades, was also recovered from the encounter site, sources added.

UNI