4 militants killed in Assam shootout

The outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit) suffered a major blow when four of its members were killed Sunday in a fierce encounter by security forces in Kokrajhar district in western Assam.

Among the slain rebels is Muhar Basumatary, the second-in-command of the faction. Many sophisticated arms and ammunition, including an AK-56 rifle, three pistols and several hand grenades were also recovered in the operation.

An official said that the Army has been carrying out operations in the remote areas of Kokrajhar and Chirang districts in the wake of the NDFB’s raising day on October 3, 2014.