Top NDFB (S) commander killed at Batasipur

OUR BUREAU

GUWAHATI, Nov 17: Two days after killing of a top tiol Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB-S) rebel, wanted by tiol Investigation Agency (NIA), Army and police in a joint operation today gunned down the outfit’s Sonitpur district commander, Khamkhang.

The militant was killed in a gun battle at Batasipur in Sonitpur district around 8 am today, defence spokesman Lt Col Suneet Newton said.

“Khamkhang had become a synonym for terror in the area and he was particularly known for kidpping for ransom, extortion and killings. He was a key figure involved in planning and execution of the gruesome Adivasi massacre last year,” he said.

A pistol and some live ammunition were recovered from the slain militant.

“The army had got specific intelligence input that Khamkhang was moving in the area. Based on the information, an operation was planned to b him,” the spokesman said.

“The militant, however, attacked the security forces by lobbing a grede and opened fire,” Newton said, adding that he was eventually killed in the gun battle.

He also said that the NDFB faction’s top brass was considering Khamkhang’s me for appointment as commander-in-chief in place of Bidai in order to rejuvete the group and boost the flagging morale of the cadres which is at its lowest ebb due to the relentless operations by the security forces.

It may be mentioned that  a ‘commander’ of the banned NDFB(S) wanted by NIA for his involvement in the 2014 December carge at Kokrajhar was killed in an encounter with a joint army and police team in  Chirang district on November 15.

The encounter took place when the Army launched a joint operation with Assam Police late last evening in Chirang district following specific information about the presence of the NDFB(S) ‘commander’ identified as Jaola Basumatary. When the search party reached the suspected area, the militant opened fire and in the exchange of fire that ensued he was seriously injured.