Army troops operating against insurgents gunned down three tribal militants belonging to Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF) in an encounter on Friday in a village inside Karbi Anglong Hills district. Five other insurgents were arrested in the operation.
An Army source said acting on specific information, the troops cordoned off a hide-out at Kamolabhiti village in Karbi Anglong at around 5 am on Friday. The militants taking shelter inside a house opened fire at the Army team. Three militants were killed in the ensuing gun battle. The encounter lasted for about 30 minutes.
The slain KLNLF militants were identified as Makhan Terang, San Millick and Girsal Terang. The Army recovered two AK 56 assault rifles, four 12 bore single barrel rifle, 177 rounds of AK 56
Five other KLNLF militants, including two woman cadres, were arrested from the hideout along with an old couple. The Army is interrogating the old couple to ascertain their link, if any, with the militants group.
The KLNLF is a breakaway faction of the Karbi tribe militant group, United People's Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) which is engaged in peace talks with the Centre. The KLNLF is opposed to the peace process between the UPDS and the Centre.
The KLNLF demands a separate homeland for Karbi tribe.