In the gunfight that followed, one terrorist was killed and the others managed to flee.
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At least 12 civilians were killed on Friday, August 5 when militants in military fatigues opened random fire at a busy market in Assam’s Kokrajhar town. The state government said police and paramilitary reinforcements had been rushed to the scene in Balajan, around 220 kilometers west of Assam’s main city of Guwahati.
“At least three to four militants attacked the market place in the afternoon”.
Sonowal also warned that the militants involved in the attack in Kokrajhar that left 13 people dead will be dealt with very sternly.
According to Assam Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay, AK-56 and 47 series rifles along with grenades were recovered from the spot, he said.
Criticising strongly the attack on innocent people in Kokrajhar, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Saturday said the method adopted by militants to get their demand accepted by the government is unacceptable. “Massive combing operations have been launched to nab their associates suspected to have been taking shelter in the nearby areas”, said Mr Shahay who recently told reporters that NDFB (S) was recruiting youths in western Assam. “This attack is a retaliation”, a top security official said. Two more people died on their way to the hospital, another police official said.
He stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh have been apprised of the matter. “The government will not bow to any pressure while tackling terrorist groups”.
Head of Assam State Sarbananda Sonowal was swift to announce monetary compensation to victims of the attack.
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The shoot-out occurred when the state was in high alert in view of the coming Independence Day. “I appeal to all people of Assam to exercise restraint and to maintain peace and harmony”, he said.
