Assam police mulls Combing operation against NDFB militants

Guwahati: Combing operation will be launched by the specially trained commandos of Indian army, CRPF, BSF, SSB and Assam police against militants in Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD) and bordering areas of Bhutan, officials said.

During a press conference held at Guwahati on Saturday, Assam police ADGP RM Singh said that, the combing operation will be launched soon against the militant groups.

“The decision had taken during a meeting held recently and approached to the Bhutan government to give support during the operation,” the top police official said.

“All efforts have been taken to reduce extortion, kidnapping cases in BTAD area,” the official saidAssam police IGP Dr LR Bisnoi said that, at least 40 militants were killed and 175 others arrested in BTAD area in this year so far.

“Security forces recovered 16 AK series rifles, 121 nos pistol and revolver, 2006 rounds ammunition from militants. This year NDFB militants had killed at least 72 civilans and injuring 40 others in four districts of BTAD,” Dr Bisnoi said.He also said that, at least 774 civilians were killed in ethnic violence in BTAD area since 1993.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)