Banned insurgent group United Liberation Front of Asom – Independent (ULFA-I) on Tuesday, took responsibility for the ambush on an Indian army patrol party in Assam’s Tinsukia district.
In a statement from the outfit, ULFA (I) self-styled captain Rumel Asom said that the ambush, codenamed ‘Operation Lakhipathar’, was undertaken to mark ‘Protest Day’, which the militant organisation observes on November 28.
The militant leader said, “In the operation, Army’s anti-mine casspir vehicle was damaged and several Army jawans were injured. However, Army is trying to cover up their failure by hiding the injured from the public.”
On Monday morning, the Army team was ambushed on the Pengeri-Digboi Road in the Barpathar area during an area domination exercise.
The encounter between the security forces and suspected insurgents at the Barapathar area of the Pengeri-Digboi road of the Tinsukia district took place on Monday, following which the Defence PRO of Guwahati said that: “Our team had moved out for area domination from nearby Company Operating Base as per Standard Operating Procedures.”
The official further added that specialised equipment, human intelligence, and tracker dogs were also pressed into action.
“Approximately 20-30 rounds were fired on the leading MPV Casspir. Swift retaliation averted any casualty and also resulted in the flying away of terrorists,” Defence PRO of Guwahati said today.
Joint operation and examination of recovered items with Assam police were currently underway. The fleeing insurgents have left behind batteries, wires, food items, and sharp weapons, officials stated.
Meanwhile, Assam police arrested a suspected linkman of the ULFA (I) in the Jorhat district on Tuesday. As per sources, the suspected linkman who was apprehended allegedly assisted ULFA (I) militants in their ambush attack on the Indian Army.
The arrested individual, identified as Maina Borgohain, was nabbed from Kakojan.
He further added that specialized equipment, human intelligence, and tracker dogs were also pressed into action.
“Joint operation and examination of recovered items with Assam police are currently underway,” it added.
In an emailed statement, the insurgent group claimed that: ULFA-I attacked on the army team at around 7.45 am on November 14 to mark their ‘Protest Day’ which they observe on November 28.
The fleeing insurgents have left behind batteries, wires, food items, and sharp weapons, Defense PRO said.
The ULFA (I) observes ‘Protest Day’ to mark the launch of ‘Operation Bajrang’ against the militant outfit by the Army in 1990.
