Three ULFA rebels killed

Guwahati, Jul 24 (UNI) Three dreaded ULFA militants were killed in an encounter with the security forces in lower Assam's Nalabri district little after midnight last night.

Police today said the encounter took place at Nomati village when the ULFA militants were trying to cross an open field to change their hiding place. Security forces were waiting for an ambush having received prior information.

Though the militants were yet to be identified, they were suspected to be members of ''709 battalion'' of ULFA and one of them was a top leader of the outfit.

Another militant managed to escape under the cover of darkness, police said.

One AK 51 rifle, one grenade, three detonators, magazine and ULFA pads were recovered from them.

Meanwhile, a bomb was recovered from a bus in Sonari in Sivsagar district today.

UNI SG SJC RL KN2142