The Indian Army announced that Drishti Rajkhowa, a senior leader of militant group ULFA (Independent), had surrendered in Meghalaya with four associates.
Rajkhowa was considered to be the second in-command of ULFA(I) and was a close confidant of Paresh Baruah, the group's self-touted 'commander in chief'.
PTI reported on Wednesday night that Rajkhowa was under custody of Army Intelligence and was being taken to Assam. Rajkhowa was reportedly based in Bangladesh and had moved to Meghalaya a few weeks back.
The Indian Army released a statement on the arrest of Rajkhowa.
"In a swift and well-planned operation executed by the Indian Army Intelligence agencies at Meghalaya-Assam-Bangladesh Border, dreaded hardcore ULFA(I) leader, SS Col Drishti Rajkhowa along with four accomplices SS—Corporal Vedanta, Yasin Asom, Ropjyoti Asom and Mithun Asom—surrendered, with a huge quantity of arms. The operation was based on confirmed inputs, which was a result of relentless pursuit over the last nine months. Drishti Rajkhowa has long been in the wanted list of the ULFA insurgents responsible for their activities in lower Assam. His surrender is a major blow to the underground organisation and heralds a new dawn ushering in peace in the region. By this operation, Indian Army again reaffirmed, that at all times, it remains committed in maintaining peace and normalcy in the region," the Indian Army statement said.
