One NDFB-Songbijit militant killed, another nabbed in joint operation

GUWAHATI: A NDFB-Songbijit militant was killed in an encounter with the security forces who busted a camp with explosives of the insurgent outfit in lower Assam's Kokrajhar district, while another one was apprehended in two different incidents today.

Based on information about the location of the NDFB-S camp in Ultapani reserve forest, a joint operation was launched by a team of 2 Rajput Regiment and Assam Police yesterday and the camp was busted, IGP BTAD L R Bishnoi, under whose command the operation was conducted told PTI.

After busting the camp, forces from CRPF's 210 Cobra battalion, and 16 and 40 SSB battalions were mobilised for search operation in the jungle, Bishnoi said.

When the security forces were de-inducting they were fired upon by suspected NDFB-S cadres near the jungle of Laopani river and the party also retaliated in self defence, he said.

After the exchange of fire, the body of a slain militant identified as Busha Brahma alias Bushum was found nearby with a 7.65 mm pistol with magazine, four rounds of live ammunition and two fired cases and three hand grenades, one pouch, one bag, documents of NDFB and medicines.

Recoveries from the busted NDFB camp include 11 grenades, 200 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 43 SIM cards, including of Bhutan, one mobile handset, 42 blankets, mosquito nets, medicines and other documents, duty register, utensils, dry ration and vegetables, the IGP said.

The recoveries were made from 11 tents that could accommodate 35 cadres and three fortified sentry posts in the concealed camp.

A search operation has been launched to nab the cadres who fled away, he added.

In another incident, an NDFB(S) militant was apprehended at Chaygaon in Kamrup district by security forces while he was on his way to Goalpara from Guwahati, a defence spokesman said.

The militant was identified as Bisonjit Mushahary and a 7.65 mm pistol, ten rounds of AK-47 ammunitions, a 7.65 mm pistol, three detonators, safety fuse wire, a mobile and a diary were recovered from his possession, the spokesman added.