Army deals major blow to ULFA, kills its organising secretary

New Delhi, Sep 12 : The Army today dealt a severe blow to the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) by killing self styled Lieutenant Shashankar Baruah, its organising secretary, in upper Assam's Tinsukia District along the state's border with Arunachal Pradesh.

Acting on a tip off about Baruah entering Assam from Arunachal Pradesh, soldiers of 19 Kumaon Regiment surrounded Dirak and launched an operation to nab him.

Baruah was killed on the spot, and an AK-47 assault rifle was recovered from the slain militant, sources said.

Baruah alias Ananto Gogoi alias Sarat Baruah belonged to the 28 Battalion ULFA and was also the organising secretary of the 28 Battalion of the militant outfit.

Baurah, a hardcore and a senior cadre joined the ULFA in 1988, was apprehended for the first time during Operation Bajrang in 1991.

He subsequently joined the military wing of 28 Battalion ULFA in 2000, and thereafter, he was an active member of Central Committee in Myanmar.

Barua was again apprehended in 2007 along with his wife -- self styled Sergeant Major Renuka Baruah and was subsequently released. Since then, he was actively involved in militant operations.

The killing of Baruah has given a major jolt to ULFA leadership, which is already reeling under the impact of unilateral ceasefire by 'A' and 'C', Companies of 28 Battalion ULFA.

The beleaguered outfit has been losing support of local population on one side and large numbers of its own cadres have also become disillusioned with the futile struggle. By Praful Kumar Singh

ANI