Top Karbi militant, cadres killed in Assam

Guwahati, April 20 (IANS) Five cadres of the Karbi Peoples' Liberation Tigers (KPLT) militant group, including a top leader, were killed and two arrested in an early morning operation by security forces in Assam's Karbi Anglong district early Friday.

One of the slain militants was identified as KPLT general secretary Nirlip Inghy, police said and added that the operation is one of the biggest successes against KPLT militants in recent past.

The operation took place at Borpung village under Chokihali police outpost in the district, about 300 km away from Assam's main city Guwahati.

The security forces have also recovered two AK-56 rifles, two carbines, two pistols, ammunition, one radio set and one wireless set from the slain militants.

Karbi Anglong district police superintendent B.B. Chetri said the joint operation was carried out by police, the army and the commandos of the elite Cobra force of the CRPF.

"We received specific information that some KPLT cadres were hiding in two houses in the district. The security forces cordoned off the area but the militants sensed danger and opened fire. This forced us to retaliate and in the ensuing gun battle, five militants were killed while two of them could be arrested," he said.

The KPLT militants were involved in several cases of abduction and extortion in the district.