File Photo: Adivasis keep vigil outside a church after attacks by Bodo militants in Sonitpur in Assam (Press Trust of India)
A 'commander' of the banned NDFB(Songbijit) wanted by NIA for his involvement in the 2014 December carnage at Kokrajhar was killed in an encounter with a joint army and police team in Assam's Chirang district, a Defence spokesman said today.
The encounter took place when the Army launched a joint operation with Assam Police late last evening in Chirang district following specific information about the presence of the NDFB(S) 'commander' identified as Jaola Basumatary, he said.
When the search party reached the suspected area, the terrorist opened fire and in the exchange of fire that ensued he was seriously injured.
The wounded terrorist was immediately rushed to JSB Civil Hospital at Kajalgaon where the doctors declared him brought dead, he added.
Jaola was involved in the December 2014 Kokrajhar carnage where nearly 100 adivasis were killed by NDFB(S) and National Investigation Agency (NIA) had registered three cases against Jaola in this regard and was on the lookout for him.
The pistol which the terrorist used for firing at the security forces has been recovered along with some ammunition, the spokesman said.
The neutralisation of Jaola is being seen as a major setback to the already flagging morale of NDFB(S) and will assist in establishing lasting peace in the region, he added.