ULFA-I admits loss of 3 fighters

The United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) has admitted loss of its three fellows in the recent gunbattle with security forces in Nagaland.

In a statement emailed to Assam Times, the outfit fighting for independence said the trio who were moving in the area near Tizit were attacked by the security forces who were hiding in the place acting on prior information.

The outfit has named the deceased trio as Bipul Asom, Santosh Asom and Phanindra Asom. According to them, eight army and para military force jawans sustained injury in the encounter apart from the death of a major.

The gun battle that lasted for nearly ten hours took place at a remote Naga village of Oting in Mon district.

Acting on a tip off, army jawans of 12 Para Commandos conducted a search operating at the hilltop where the fierce fighting broke out from Tuesday evening. Three ULFA (I) rebels were found dead along with an army major.

According the authorities, three army jawans also sustained serious injury during the encounter who have been fighting with death at the Dinjan Army Hospital.

Identified as Major David Manlum, who died in the spot has been flown to his home state Meghalaya where he was laid to rest.