Eight DNLA cadres killed in encounter with security personnel in Assam

Our Correspondent
Diphu, May 23 (EMN): Eight Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA) militants were killed on Sunday in an encounter with security forces in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district, along the Nagaland border, a senior police officer said.

Earlier, he had claimed six died in the exchange of fire, as the bodies of two others were yet to be recovered.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of police officers and Assam Rifles personnel launched an operation, led by West Karbi Anglong additional superintendent of police Prakash Sonowal.

Informing journalists at Dhansiri on Sunday, the DIG, Satyraj Hazarika said that in connection with the killing of Sanjay Ronghang at Daojingphang, Dhansiri on May 19 and other incidences taking place around Dhansiri, a joint operation by the Army and police was carried out on Saturday night. 

‘According to information received from sources about large groups of DNLA cadres approaching towards Dhansiri police outpost area by crossing Dhansiri river,  as Misibailam is very loose to Nagaland border and at a particular location at Dubidisa, the militants seeing our team starting firing at us. In retaliation, we also fired at them. As it was still dark, we could not ascertain the casualties on the side of DNLA. In the morning today, when we searched the area, found bodies of six DNLA cadres killed. AK series rifles, .3 rifles, grenade and pistols were recovered from the place,’ the DIG said. 

The DIG informed that the DNLA were in large groups.

‘The groups were involved in the killing of Amit Nunisa, which happened before the Assembly election and Sanjay Ronghang on May 19. Some groups are still hiding in the area and some groups have fled to Nagaland after crossing Dhansiri River,’ the DIG informed.

 (With inputs from PTI)