First major attack on security forces by banned ULFA(I)
GUWAHATI: Three Army jawans were killed and four others injured when a group of 15-20 suspected militants belonging the banned ULFA (I) and NSCN-K attacked two Army vehicles at around 5.30am on Saturday with sophisticated weapons inside Buridihing reserve forest near Pengeri in Tinsukia district on eastern Assam, about 510 km away from here.
The slain jawans belonged to 15 Kumaon Regiment based in Pengeri and were engaged in counter-insurgency operations, a defence source informed.
The two Army vehicles – a gypsy and a truck – were travelling from Pengeri to refinery town of Digboi when militants waiting in ambush triggered an IED blast under the Gypsy and opened fire on both the vehicles.
The IED blast created a crater on the road and security forces later recovered grenade launchers from the spot. The police and Army have cordoned off the area and launched a combing operation in the area including the reserve forest.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh called up Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday morning and took stock of the situation after the attack on Armymen, a source in the chief minister’s office informed.
State Director General of Police (DGP), Mukesh Sahay who rushed to the spot, suspected hands of the ULFA(I) and its allies including the NSCN-K behind the attack and vowed to apprehend the culprits soon.
Police said the attack was carried out by militants using sophisticated weapons including rocket propelled grenade (RPG), AK-47 assault rifles and mortars.
This is the first major attack on security forces carried out by the banned ULFA (I) since the BJP-led government headed by Sarbananda Sonowal came to power in Assam in May this year.
“We condemn the incident strongly. Operations will be intensified and stern action will be taken against the militants. None will be spared,” chief minister Sonowal said.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and took stock of the situation.
Sonowal briefed the Home Minister about the incident, the situation arising of the explosion and the steps taken to nab the culprits.
“I am deeply anguished by the death of Army soldiers in a blast in Tinsukia and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Singh said. The Assam Chief Minister strongly condemned the incident and directed Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay to rush to spot and review the situation. “Operations will be intensified and stern action will be taken against the militants. None will be spared,” he said here.