NDFB militant wanted by NIA killed in encounter

A hardcore cadre of the anti-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), who was also wanted by the National Investigating Agency (NIA), was gunned down on Saturday during an encounter with the security forces in Assam's Chirang district.

A defence spokesman based in Guwahati said this, adding that the militant, identified as Jaola Basumatary, was also wanted by the NIA for his involvement in the December 2014 massacre of the Adivasi people in Assam.

"The army launched a joint operation with Assam Police late Friday evening at a remote location in Chirang district. The security forces had received specific information about the presence of the NDFB commander and immediately swung into action," the defence spokesperson said.

"Jaola opened fire, forcing the security forces to retaliate and the militant sustained injury," said the official and added that though he was taken to hospital in the early hours of Saturday, the doctor declared him brought dead.

A commander of the outfit, Jaola was part of the notable hierarchy in the group and was involved in the December 2014 Kokrajhar carnage, where Adivasi people were killed.

The NIA had registered three cases against him in this regard and was on the lookout for him.

The army spokesman said that a pistol and some ammunition were recovered from the slain militant.