Assam: 6 KPLT militants killed, one Army personnel injured in encounter

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

Informing that an army soldier was also injured in the encounter, defence spokesperson Lt Col. Suneet Newton said, the joint police and army team launched an operation at Banipathar area under Bokajan police station.

“The militants who were holed up in a camp opened fire on being challenged, which was retaliated by the security forces,” he said. In exchange of fire at least six KPLT rebels were neutralized, while an army man was injured, he added. 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 personnel has been shifted to hospital,” he said. One SLR rifle, one Insas rifle, three pistols and two grenades were recovered from the slain ultras.

The breakaway faction of the Karbi National Liberation Front, which declared ceasefire in 2010-11, has been operating as KPLT in the remote areas of Bokajan in Karbi Anglong district. The outfit was running a terror network in the area.