6 militants killed in Assam operations

In a major breakthrough in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations, the Indian Army gunned down at least six Karbi Peoples Liberation Tigers (KPLT) in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam on Friday.

Defence spokesperson Lt. Col. Suneet Newton said that an Army soldier was also injured in the encounter. He said that a joint police and Army team launched an operation at Banipathar area after receiving specific information.

The militants, who were holed up in a camp, opened fire on being challenged, starting a gunfight in which at least six KPLT rebels were killed and an Army man injured. The incident took place inside Nambar Forest reserve in east Karbi Anglong.

The Karbi Anglong superintendent of police said that two top KPLT leaders are also suspected to have been killed in the encounter as identification process was still on.

The injured Army man has been shifted to hospital, he said. The breakaway faction of the Karbi National Liberation Front, which declared ceasefire in 2010-11, has been operating as KPLT in remote areas.