NIA team inspects attack site in Kokrajhar; slain militant identified

GUWAHATI: A team from National Investigating Agency ( NIA) inspected the market place in Kokrajhar in Bodoland in Assam where 14 persons and a militant of National Democratic Front of Bodoland-Songbijit (NDFB-S) was killed.

Denying that the Friday attack was an act of suicide squad, Assam’s health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "The slain militant has been identified as Monjoy Islahary, a self-styled commander of 16th battalion of NDFB-S. We will do a DNA test of the slain militant."

Questions have been raised if there was involvement of Jehadi elements in the attack. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that the direct involvement of NDFB(S) in the Kokrajhar violence had been unearthed following the coming to light of vital information.

Sonowal, who also holds the home portfolio, said NDFB (S) was directly involved in the Kokrajhar violence with the police getting vital information and contact numbers from the slain terrorist.

Keeping in mind the nearing Independence Day, Chief Minister Sonowal has asked the civil and police administration to be on high alert and to beef up security to thwart any sinister designs of anti-national forces.

Sonowal directed the DCs and SPs to review the law and order situation on a regular basis and to take all possible measures to prevent any untoward incident.