LOC22:45
19:45 GMT
NEW DELHI, June 15 (KUNA) -- As many as four separatist insurgents of the
banned rebel group United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) were killed in an
encounter with the Army in India's Northeastern state of Assam Sunday.
The encounter took place in Assam's Sivasagar district, Indo Asian News
Service reported, quoting an Indian Army commander.
An AK 56 assault rifle, a carbine, four grenades, and a large quantity of
ammunition were recovered from the slain rebels, the commander said, adding,
ULFA was planning a major terror strike in the Sivasagar town.
The ULFA is waging an insurgency since 1979 to create a "sovereign Assam"
carved out of India. Most of its top leadership is reported to be based in
neighbouring Bangladesh and operating from there. The group has been alleged
of maintaining links with Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence. ULFA is now
operating out of bases in neighbouring Myanmar and carrying out their
hit-and-run attacks against Indian security forces in Assam.
Leading US think tank Stratfor last year in a report -- 'India: ULFA
Abandons Peace Talks' -- had said that ULFA was keen to work with groups like
Bangladesh-based Harkt-ul-Jihadi- Islamia in India's Northeast and was
outsourcing terror operations. (end)
dr.bs
KUNA 152245 Jun 08NNNN