Kokrajhar/Guwahati, Jan. 19: Security forces gunned down three militants of the anti-talks faction of the National Democratic Front of Boroland in two separate incidents since last evening in Kokrajhar district.

A joint team of police and army killed two militants of the Daimary faction in an encounter with a joint at Bongshijhora in Kokrajhar around noon today. The forces had also killed an anti-talks NDFB rebel at Amlaiguri under Salakati police station around 9pm yesterday.

The two militants killed today were identified as Sanjab Brahma, 26, from Udalguri and Atul Brahma alias Onkhwma, 30, from Kokrajhar while the rebel killed last evening was identified as Ananta Brahma alias Posima, 30, from the Kochugaon area in Kokrajhar district.

A senior army official today said based on specific inputs about the movement of militants in the Bongshijhora area under Parbhatjhora subdivision, a team of police and the army had launched a search operation around 10.30am.

“As we were cordoning a house, two militants emerged and started fleeing while firing at the security forces. They also hurled two grenades,” the official said.

According to him, the two militants were later gunned down at a jungle around 250 metres from the house.

An AK-47 rifle, a Chinese grenade, one magazine and some ammunition were recovered from their possession.

The team also recovered documents belonging to the outfit, including letters and extortion notes in a subsequent raid at another house.

The official said though some persons were picked up in this connection on suspicion, they did not appear to be NDFB cadres.

“The operation was called off at 4pm,” he said.

On the other hand, an Italian-made 9mm pistol, one magazine and some ammunition were recovered from Ananta Brahma.

Sources said based on a tip-off, a joint team of the police and the army had laid an ambush in the Amlaiguri area when two NDFB militants had come to the village to collect money yesterday. While Ananta was killed, the other rebel escaped under cover of darkness.