Three Bodo militants killed in Assam

Three militants of Bodo outfit NDFB -- two of whom were trained in Myanmar and were wanted in many cases -- were killed in gunfights with police in Assam, an official said on Wednesday.

Based on information that militants of the anti-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) were moving in Majbat area in Udalguri district, police laid an ambush on Tuesday night, said Udalguri Superintendent of Police Rakesh Roushan, who led the operation.

"We spotted four people. When we asked them to stop, they ran and started firing at us forcing us to retaliate," he said.

During a search, police found two militants with bullet injuries. They were taken to the Majbat primary health centre but were declared dead by doctors.

The slain militants were identified as Daharu and Jackput, who were trained in Myanmar and were wanted in many cases.

Another cadre -- identified as B. Sumbla -- was killed in Majbat in a separate gun battle with police.

Police believe that ULFA and NDFB might try to create disturbances in the run-up to the assembly polls in Assam, scheduled for April 4 and 11.

"We cannot rule out the angle that the militants have been trying to carry out subversive activities in the run-up to the polls," the police official added.