Tinsukia (Assam), Jan 22: Two soldiers of Assam Rifles were killed and two others injured on Sunday when militants ambushed a convoy near Jairampur on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border, police said.
The attackers belonged to anti-talk faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) led by Khaplang.
Assam Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay said security forces had launched a counter-insurgency operation against the militants.
Tinsukia Superintendent of Police Mugdhajyoti Mahanta said 15 or 20 militants laid the ambush.
Unofficial sources said the militants fled with some arms and ammunition of the Assam Rifles personnel after the attack.
The Ulfa and NSCN-K ambushed an army convoy in Tinsukia district in November last year and killed three soldiers.
CORCOM claims responsibility for ambush
The CORCOM, a group of several militant organizations, has claimed responsibility for the attack. The organization issued a press release to the media on Sunday.
A ‘joint team’ of the group attacked the 13 Assam Rifles of Indian security forces at Jagun-Jairampur of Warabasti, Tinsukia, in Assam on Sunday Morning 22 January, the press release stated. “In this attack the joint team killed three soldiers and injured two or more and were able to recover three weapons (two AK Rifle and one INSAS Rifle).”
The attack was “in pursuance of the truth and common cause of liberation and to enhance the progress for the national liberation movement of WESEA, Coordination Committee (CorCom) of People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Progressive), Revolutionary People's Front and United National Liberation Front and United Liberation Front Of Asom [ULFA-Independent], a constituent member of United National Liberation Front of WESEA (UNLFW), undertake a Joint military operation: BARAK against the common enemy India,” the group explained.
The organization expressed “gratitude” to the joint team “for their bravery action against Indian security forces” for the operation and “fraternal organisations of WESEA.”
