NDFB(S) platoon commander killed in encounter

Guwahati: An NDFB(S) platoon commander, allegedly involved in the recent attack by the outfit on Adivasis, was killed in an encounter in Assam’s Kokrajhar district today, police said.

The police and the SSB launched a joint operation in Serfanguri area and the militant was killed in the ensuing encounter near Khousibazar, IGP (BTAD) LR Bishnoi told PTI.

The militant has been identified as Jailing alias Jagat Basumatary and carried a reward of Rs five lakh on his head for his alleged ‘direct involvement’ in the 23 December killing of adivasis in Pakhriguri area of the district, he said.

The security forces recovered an AK-56 rifle, two grenades and 22 live ammunition.

Seven NDFB(S) militants, Kokrajhar platoon ‘second-in-command’ Mithinga and Khuren along with their four associates were arrested from Serfanguri in Kokrajhar district since Thursday night for their alleged direct involvement in the killings.

Altogether, 31 persons were killed in three simultaneous attacks in Kokrajhar district in the December 23 attacks while in Sonitpur, 50 others were killed taking the death toll to 81.

Bishnoi said two more cadres of NDFB(S) Kokrajhar platoon were arrested during the subsequent operation in Kolabari area under Serfanguri police station.

The duo have been identified as Genda Basumatary and Bullet, he added.

“From them, we have recovered one 7.65 mm pistol and four rounds of ammunition,” Bishnoi said.

In Sonitpur district, one NDFB(S) linkman was arrested today from Jogibil under Rangapara police station in Tezpur sub division, district SP Sanjukta Parasar said.

Meanwhile, a linkman and a cadre of the rebel organisation were apprehended from Simangpuri area under Balisang police station in Sonitpur district last night.

Biswanath Chariali police district SP Manobendra Ray said the NDFB(S) cadre was involved in the serial attacks on 23 December.

He said that the arrested militant has been identified as Sambaru Basumatary (30).

PTI