2 paramilitary troopers, 2 militants killed in India's Assam

Two paramilitary troopers and two militants were killed in separate attacks in India's northeastern state of Assam, defense officials said Monday.

According to police on Sunday morning militants ambushed a vehicle belonging to paramilitary troopers of Assam Rifles near village Jagun in Tinsukia district, about 535 km northeast of Dispur, the capital city of Assam. The attack killed two paramilitary troopers and wounded three others.

Following the attack, a search operation was launched by paramilitary troopers in the area, which during evening hours led to killing of two militants in the area.

"Yesterday a road opening party of Assam Rifles was attacked near Jagun by heavily armed militants, which killed two personnel and wounded three others," a senior police official said. "Later on two militants were also killed in retaliation during the search operation to track down militants responsible for the attack."

Reports said militants targeted the paramilitary vehicle with a barrage of bullets and hurled grenades, besides detonating a bomb. The militants reportedly snatched three service rifles of paramilitary troopers and escaped from the spot.

A senior police official Kula Saikia has rushed to Tinsukia to review the situation in wake of the attack. Police officials said the search operation in the forest area close to Jagun in Tinsukia was going on until last reports poured in.

An armed insurgency in going on in India's northeastern states. Dozens of insurgent groups are challenging New Delhi's rule in the region and have waged a guerrilla war. While some armed groups fighting Indian troops demand a separate homeland, the others seek regional autonomy. Endit