Eight hardcore ULFA militants killed in encounter

DIBRUGARH: Eight hardcore ULFA militants, including two women cadres, were killed in an ongoing encounter with security forces in Arunchal Pradesh bordering Assam's Tinsukia district on Tuesday.

A senior army official told PTI here that troops of 7/11 Gorkha Rifles had launched an operation in Tekelipam area of Lohit district in Arunachal since Tuesday morning and in the ensuing encounter eight ULFA militants, including two women cadres, were killed.

The dead include two top ULFA leaders Corporal Jun Bhuyan and Sergeant Pranab Rajkhowa of 28th Battalion's 'C' company, the outfit's strike force.

Bhuyan was responsible for the banned outfit's operations and activities in Tinsukia district.

The killing of these top leaders was a major success for the security forces and a blow to the ULFA, the official said.

The General Officer in Commanding (GOC) of 2nd Mountain Division Maj Gen NC Marwah has rushed to the 7/11 Gorkha Rifles base at Kakopathar to review the operation.

The encounter was still continuing in the remote jungles of the district, the official added.