An Assam Rifles convoy came under fire from suspected militants on Tuesday morning near the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. At least one Assam Rifles soldier was wounded in the ensuing clash. Officials report possible casualties on the militants' side but have yet to confirm.
The ambush occurred near Namdang in Margherita within Assam's Tinsukia district. According to Tinsukia Superintendent of Police, Gaurav Abhijit Dilip, the convoy was traveling from Changlang in Arunachal Pradesh. The Assam Rifles returned fire after the initial attack.
Dilip indicates that while the identity of the militant group remains unclear, both the NSCN and ULFA(I) are known to operate in the region. A senior Assam Rifles official confirmed the attack, adding that the injured soldier was evacuated by helicopter and is in stable condition. Joint search operations are currently underway at the site of the ambush.
An email allegedly sent by the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) has claimed responsibility for the attack. The email cites "Operation Pratishodh" as a retaliatory act in response to the deaths of two of the banned militant group's members.
