Tinsukia: A day after a joint team of the army and Assam Rifles launched a major offensive against Ulfa (I) at Kotha reserve forest in Tinsukia district leading to a gun battle, security forces continued with the operations on Monday.
The operation, during which the Assam Rifles has claimed to have injured two Ulfa cadres, comes close on the heels of Republic Day.
A press release issued by defence PRO Col C. Konwer said, "Initial search and ground reports of the area indicate that two Ulfa cadres were injured in the encounter. However, taking advantage of heavy fog and darkness, they managed to escape."
"The operation, based on specific intelligence inputs, succeeded in cordoning off a group of six Ulfa cadres led by Udoy Asom," said an army source. "During a search, a blank magazine army and five rounds of fired cases were recovered. The operation has been intensified."
The sources said there were reports of Ulfa planning a major attack, following wh-ich operations have been intensified in Tinsukia district.
In January last year, a group of CorCom had ambushed a foot patrol of Assam Rifles, killing two riflemen. The attack took place on National Highway 153.