One civilian was killed in cross fire between police and ultras belonging to the banned United Liberation Front of Assam at an interior village in Dhemaji district of north Assam on Tuesday afternoon.
Police informed that acting on a tip-off that two ULFA militants were taking shelter in a Lower Primary School, a team of policemen and CRPF personnel went to the interior Naharanibari village under Machkhowa Police Station on bi-cycles as the flood-prone area does not have motorable roads.
On seeing the police party, the ULFA militants started fleeing while firing at the police team that was hot on their trail. The militants then barged into the property of one Hira Taid and started firing from their AK-47 assault rifles at the police team. The police also retaliated.
Taid, who was working inside his thatched house, was hit by a bullet during the exchange of fire between police and the ultras. Though the police tried rushed seriously injured villager on a bullock cart to the hospital at the district headquarter located about 30 kilometers away, he died of his injury on the way.
Both the militants managed to flee towards a river isle in the area. The police have launched a search operation to nab the ultras. Flood-ravaged Dhemaji district where surface communication is in shambles, is infested with ULFA militants taking advantage of interior locations.
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