IAF involved in 'Operation All Out' to eliminate NDFB(S) in lower Assam

CHIRANG (ASSAM): Indian Air Force is involved in 'Operation All Out,' operating since January, along with the army, paramilitary forces and state police to eliminate NDFB(Songbijit) militants from lower Assam.

Gajraj Corps GOC Lt Gen Sarath Chand told the media after an anti-insurgency Unified Command Structure meeting that about 3,500 troops of the army along with the IAF, Assam Police, and paramilitary forces have launched a massive operation against NDFB(S) covering Ripu, Chirang, Manas, Sonai Rupai and Behali reserve forests in Kokrajhar, and Chirang, Baksa and Sonitpur districts of lower Assam.

The operation has been primarily launched to eliminate remnants of the group by protracted and sustained actions for an extended period of time, he said.

A roadmap for 'Operation All Out' was planned to carry out the relentless and well directed operation to decimate the group, instill faith among the local populace and bring normalcy in the region.

The troops on the ground have been sensitised about carrying out specific intelligence-based operations and not to cause any inconvenience to the local populace, the GoC said.

The need of the hour, he said, is to continue with the operations against the notorious NDFB(S) till they are totally wiped out, the General said.

Assam Director General of Police Khagen Sarma, answering queries on operations by Islamic fundamentalist outfits in the state, said, "The NDFB(S) compared to the pan Islamic groups is much lower. We are keeping a very strict vigil."

A defence spokesman said as a result of the intelligence- based operations, 18 terrorists were neutralized, 539 terrorists/ overground workers were apprehended along and 175 assorted weapons, 180 hand grenades and 7 IEDs seized.

The Centre, he said, is closely monitoring the situation and there would be no let-up in the operations till the time the outfit is completely decimated.