SP, policeman killed by militants in Assam's Karbi Anglong

DIPHU/GUWAHATI: A Superintendent of Police and another police man were killed in an encounter with militants of Karbi Peoples' Liberation Tigers (KPLT) in Karbi Anglong district of central Assam.

SP Nitya Nanda Goswami of Hamren police district was leading an operation again the insurgent outfit in remote Rongthang forest area where they came face to face with a large group of the ultras who opened fire on them last night, IGP Law and Order A P Rout said today.

The police team retaliated and in the ensuing encounter, Goswami and his personal security guard were killed, Rout said.

The SP, his additional SP and other police personnel had split into three groups to launch the operation against the ultras with Goswami heading a team of five policemen, he said.

The bodies of Goswami and his PSO were recovered this morning, he said.

The IGP described the SP's operation as a "gallant action".

The KPLT, formed in 2010, has been demanding creation of a Hemprek Kanthim (self-ruled homeland) for the Karbi people.

It is a breakaway anti-talks faction of the ethnic insurgent Karbi Longri N.C. Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF).