By IANS
Guwahati : An Indian Army officer and two separatist militants were killed in a shootout in Assam Sunday as heavy fighting between the two sides continued in Tinsukhia district, officials said.
A police spokesman said a group of militants belonging to the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) clashed with soldiers at Mecheka reserve forest in Tinsukia district, about 550 km east of Assam’s main city of Guwahati.
“On specific information that a group of ULFA militants were taking shelter in the forest, soldiers went for an operation following which there was a fierce gun battle,” an army official said.
Army Captain S. Choudhury of the Gorkha Regiment was killed in the encounter.
“Two ULFA cadres also died in the gun battle,” the commander said.
Captain Choudhury Saturday was named for a gallantry award on the Republic Day.
“The encounter is still continuing and a massive combing operation is on in the area,” a senior police official said.
The ULFA is fighting for an independent Assamese homeland since 1979.