Security forces had a busy week arresting 16 hardcore NDFB(S) militants in the Kokrajhar and Sonitpur districts of Assam. One militant involved in abductions and extortion was killed. One of the arrested militants was a high-level commander with terrorist training, who trained others.
Saturday
On Saturday, security officials said a top NDFB(S) militant commander was captured in the Chetnaguri area of Kokrajhar district.
A Defence spokeman based in Guwahati said a troop of army and police launched an operation in the Chetnaguri area, capturing an NDFB(S) platoon commander, reported to be a close aide to deputy c-in-c Batha.
The captured militant, identified as Samar Basumutary alias Sona, received terrorist training five years ago, in Myanmar.
“Sona is a 34th Batch Myanmar trained terrorist, who underwent training from 25 Jan 2010 to 15 Mar 2010. He was responsible for imparting training to new recruits of the outfit at NDFB camp in Myanmar from 2010 to 2013,” Assam police BTAD IGP Dr LR Bisnoi said.
“The terrorist is one of the senior most cadres of NDFB (S), who was directly involved in the massacre of Adivasis in Ultapani on the night of 23 Dec 14, in which 13 Adivasis were killed. He was also involved in snatching of weapons from Territorial Ecological Force, last year in Kokrajhar district,” the police official said.
Security forces recovered one 7.65 mm pistol, three live rounds, one Hand Grenade and other war like stores.
“With the apprehension of Sona, Chirang Platoon of 16th Battalion NDFB (S) will be rendered ineffective in absence of any credible leadership,” the top police official said.
Sunday
Security forces captured four cadres of the NDFB(S) group in various areas of Kokrajhar district.
Monday
After receiving a tip-off on Monday, a joint army/police operation was launched in the remote Bogijuli area of the Sonitpur district along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border.
A hardcore NDFB(S) militant from Udalguri district, identified as Engarlang, was killed in the encounter with security forces. Sonitpur district Superintendent of Police Sanjukta Parasar said the man had been involved in abduction and extortions in the area.
One 7.62mm pistol with magazine, and four rounds of ammunition, one motorcycle, two mobile phone sets, plus eight SIM cards and some cash was recovered by security personnel from the encounter spot.
Tuesday
On Tuesday, BTAD IGP Dr LR Bisnoi said security personnel arrested five militants in the Ripu reserve forest.
The five militants were identified as Dilip Basumutary alias B Dawkhaw; Ananta Swargiary alias Agar; Philip Narzary alias N Puthaisala alias Fighter; Phukan Goyari and Sanjoka Brahma alias B Saogari.
Arms and ammunition recovered from this location included two pistols, four hand grenades, and nine rounds of ammunition.
Wednesday
On Wednesday, Security forces arrested six militant cadres in the Parbatjhora reserve forest in the BTAD district.
A tip-off led the army and police to launch a security operation in the forest reserve, where they located and captured the militants who were involved in the 2014 Kokrajhar district massacre.
Police identified the militants as Gobla Basumutary, alias B Gwnshwar; Preg Barmouh, alias Daoharo; Shamkhar Mushahary; Rahul Khaklary, alias Ridung; Babul Narzary, alias Kantiswar alias Gajen; and Swarang Boro, alias Tekeka.
Arms and ammunition, including a 12 bore rifle, four pistols, five hand grenades and other stores were recovered from that location.
“It was revealed by the nabbed terrorists that they were tasked by NDFB(S) to recruit new cadres from Kokrajhar and Chirang districts and carried out extortion activities,” Defence spokesman said.
