Indian army kills 6 militants in northeastern Assam

At least six militants belonging to Karbi Peoples Liberation Tigers (KPLT) militant outfit were killed Friday in a gunfight with joint contingents of Indian army and police in India's northeastern state of Assam, officials said.

The gunfight broke out early Friday at Karbi Anglong district, about 250 km east of Dispur, the capital city of Assam.

"In Assam, security forces early today gunned down six KPLT militants in Karbi Anglong," an official said. "The Assam police, army and CRPF conducted the operation under Bokajan police station."

According to officials, the operation to hunt down militants was carried out at around 1:00 a.m. (local time) on specific intelligence inputs.

"The militants hiding in jungle area fired upon the joint contingents and were neutralized in the fierce exchange," the official said.

Reports said an Indian army trooper was wounded in the stand-off and he was immediately taken to hospital.

India's state-run broadcaster All India Radio said two assault rifles, three pistols and some ammunition was recovered from the gunfight site.

The identity of slain militants was being ascertained.

Last month gunmen opened fire in a busy marketplace killing at least 13 people in Kokrajhar district of the state.

An armed insurgency in going on in India's northeastern states. Some armed groups fighting Indian troops demand a separate homeland, while others seek regional autonomy.

KPLT fights for carving out an autonomous Karbi state out of Assam. Endit