Guwahati:
Two men of Assam Rifles were killed and three critically injured in a terror attack in Assam's Tinsukia district this morning. The India-Myanmar border has been sealed, and a massive counter-operation was launched in which two terrorists were killed.
The faction of terror group ULFA(I) led by Paresh Barua and CorCom (Coordination Committee) of several Manipur-based terror groups have claimed responsibility for the attack. The groups are part of the United Liberation Front of Western South Asia -- a joint platform of all the northeast based terror groups which allegedly have their bases in Sagaing division of Northern Myanmar.
According to Assam Rifles sources, jawans from 13 Assam Rifles were on a Road Opening Party duty on the NH-153, which goes to the Nampong town in Arunachal Pradesh's Changlang district, where a winter festival was on for the last three days.
The jawans were ambushed at Warabasti near Jagun of Tinsukia district, close to the Arunachal Pradesh border. The terrorists sprayed bullets and fired Rocket Propelled Grenades. They also took away three automatic rifles from the slain jawans.
Thousands of tourists, meanwhile, were stuck on the NH-153 between Nampong in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh and Jagun in Assam. They were either going to the Pangshau pass festival or coming back.
Today was the last day of the festival and since both India and Myanmar opens their gates during the festival. Thousands of tourists from both countries try to gather on the last day.
Massive counter operations, meanwhile, have been launched in the area. The Indo-Myanmar border has also been sealed and reinforcements have been sent, police sources added.
During the festival, there was heavy VIP movement on this stretch of the NH-153. Junior Home Minister Kiren Rijiju, who was supposed to go to the festival today, cancelled his trip after the attack.