At least 13 persons were killed and several injured, many of them critically, when heavily armed militants opened fire in a crowded market place, about 12 kms from Kokrajhar on Friday.
According to ANI twitter account three terrorists opened fire in Balajan, Tiniali market area, which is 8 kms from Kokrajhar. The army responded quickly and one terrorist was gunned down. Combing operations are underway in the area.
Police said the open firing killed two and injured several others before the terrorists fled. Security forces patrolling the area retaliated and one militant was killed, the police said. According to DGP of Assam, National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) terrorists are suspected to be behind the attack.
Police have so far recovered 13 bodies and search operations are continuing in the area as the militants are suspected to be hiding in nearby buildings.
The injured, many of them critical, are being shifted to nearby hospitals. The area has been cordoned off by police and army security personnel.
Assam Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay said, "There has been an incident of firing. The security forces have reacted to it and one suspected militant as been reportedly neutralised. We have launched an intensive operation. "There could be three-four more militants there," he said.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has condemned the killings and directed the authorities to provide medical aid to the injured.
He also directed Finance, Education and Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to rush to the spot and review the situation.
Sarma said, "Two of the extremists have been neutralised and police is looking out for another six but at this stage these are my specific assessments as I am yet to talk to the SP.
"I think details are still coming in so we have to wait for some time to find out the confirmed number of killings and the number of extremists neutralised by security forces. Bodoland territorial council chief Hagrama Mohillary has said that 12 persons are on the list of those killed. This is his version," the minister said.
Assam Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay said security forces have reacted to it and one suspected militant as been reportedly neutralised. "We have launched an intensive operation," he said.
