Seven militants killed in encounter, arms recovered

Guwahati, Sep 26 (UNI) Soldiers of Red Horn division of the Army killed seven militants in a fierce encounter near Basbari village in Dhubri district early this morning.

Spokesman of the Army in Assam Col Rajesh Kalia said the security personnel recovered a huge cache of arms and explosives, including RDX, after the gun battle near Basbari village, about 270 km west of Guwahati.

''Based on intelligence reports about movement of insurgents, an Army column laid an ambush. The terrorists challenged the soldiers and soon there was a gun battle in which seven of the militants were killed,'' Col Kalia said from Tezpur.

''Bangladeshi currency notes and cigarette packets made in Bangladesh were also recovered. We are looking at all aspects, including possibilities of those killed being members of any terror operatives from Bangladesh,'' he said.

''The militants were suspected to be on transit either to Bangladesh or coming from the neighbouring country where they have several hideouts,'' he said.

Dhubri district borders Bangladesh and militants are known to exploit the porous and populous boundary to infiltrate into the country.

''The militants, who were on the move, fired on the security personnel and in the retaliatory gun battle seven of them were killed on the spot,'' Col Kalia said.

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