Top ULFA (I) rebel killed in encounter at Udalguri

Laptop, arms and mobile phones recovered from possession of slain militant Dipak Bora 

From Our Correspondent

MANGALDAI, Oct 23: In a major breakthrough in the ongoing counter insurgency operation against the proscribed ULFA (I) cadres in Darang and Udalguri districts, a hardcore rebel of the outfit was killed by security forces on Wednesday at Uttar Borpukhuri village under Kalaigaon Police Station in Udalguri district.

The slain rebel has been identified as Dipak Bora alias Bikram Asom. Killed Dipak Bora (33) son of late Bhabendra Bora of village Bor Thekerabari under Mangaldai Police Station in Darrang district joined the banned outfit in 2000 and served as a self-styled sergeant major of the outfit.

He was considered to be one of the hardcore miltant after the killing of ULFA leader Bosa Singh in 2010. The Darrang Police earlier had announced a cash reward of Rs. 2 lakh for providing information about Dipak Bora.

Sources said acting on a tip off, a joint team of army and Udalguri police led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Pranjal Bora launched operation in Uttar Borpukhuri village and cordoned off the house of one villager mely Sahidul Islam at about 1.30 am where the militant was taking shelter.

On seeing the presence of the police and army team, he lobbed a grede upon the security personnel which however failed to explode.

Though the security personnel ordered him to surrender, he defied it and an exchange of fire lasted for twenty minutes. At about 5 am, his bullet ridden body was found lying in pool of blood on the floor.

A laptop containing vital information of the outfit, two pistols along with several rounds of ammunitions, several cellular phones with SIM cards were also recovered from his possession.  

The slain militant was reportedly involved in the killing of former AASU leader cum businessman Khagen Kataki on January 16 in 2010, businessman Ikramul Hoque of Aulachowka on February 3 in 2012, Saifuddin Ahmed, an employee of a contractor on March 24 in 2014 and the recent killing of Manoj Patel-an employee of Shell petrol depot on March 27v this year.

The slain militant was also involved in the lobbing of a grede in Mangaldai Police Station complex on the evening of August 22 in 2013.

It may be mentioned here that late Dipak Bora alias Bikram Asom was earlier apprehended by the security forces in 2011, but due to the reason to be known best by the senior officials of Assam Police, the security force was compelled to release him as per the telephonic order from a senior police officer which at that time had created widespread repercussion among the security forces.