Six NDFB(S) militants nabbed in Assam

Six militants of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (Songbijit), including the outfit's self-styled cultural secretary, were apprehended and a cache of arms recovered from their hideout during a raid in Assam's Kokrajhar district on Tuesday.

The apprehensions were made during a joint operation by the Indian Army and the Assam Police at Ripu Reserve Forest in the district, a Defence statement said.

Based on specific information about the presence of NDFB(S) militants in Raimana area near Akshaiguri, troops of the Sikh Light Infantry regiment laid multiple ambushes on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday when they noticed six individuals moving suspiciously in the area, it said.

On being challenged, the militants tried to escape by taking advantage of darkness and thick foliage but the troops reacted swiftly and nabbed the six persons, the release said.

Spot questioning of the nabbed persons revealed they are NDFB(S) militants trained in Myanmar, it said.

The apprehended persons are Bahaigya Basumatary alias Belarwm, the outfit's cultural secretary and also the deputy finance secretary, Ranjolal Wary alias Gobla, Rubiram Goyary alias G Rwmwgwmw, Julesh Musharay alias M Jujilang, Sailen Borgoyary alias B Sibithao and Rajesh Narzary alias N Railang, it said.

The statement said the nabbed persons revealed the location of a temporary camp close to the apprehension spot.

One M16 assault rifle, six 7.65 mm pistols, twelve magazines, ammunition, medicines, rations and other combat materials were recovered, it said.

While three of the militants are from Kokrajhar district, the remaining three belong to Chirang district, it said, adding the apprehended persons were a handful of the NDFB(S) militants active in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) area of Assam.

The release said the Army strove for over three months to nab these militants, adding the apprehension is a major setback for the outfit's activities in Kokrajhar district.

Due to tough living conditions, sustained pressure by the security forces and lack of support from the locals, most of the NDFB(S) cadres are disillusioned and demoralised, it said.

The statement said the security forces will continue exerting pressure through sustained operations till all the NDFB(S) militants are neutralised.

The NDFB(S) outfit is accused of perpetrating massacres in Assam.