12 Civilians Killed in Assam’s Kokrajhar after Terrorists Open Fire in Market

Posted on 05 August 2016. Tags: after, Assam's, civilians, fire, killed, Kokrajhar, market, open, terrorists

At least twelve civilians and an ultra were killed while several others injured when militants opened fire in the Balajan Tiniali market area in Assam's Kokrajhar district.
 
According to reports, four to five terrorists dressed in military fatigues opened random fire at people in the market. Police said the group of militants came in a car and swooped down on Balajan Tiniali market on Friday afternoon. They opened fire and killed 12.
   
Security forces patrolling the area retaliated and one militant was killed, the police said.
   
"It has been a tactic with the militants to attack soft targets. We have started an operation in and around the area. We suspect the number of attackers was four or five," Assam Police chief Mukesh Sahay said.
 
The entire area has been cordoned off by police and security personnel and the injured, many of them critical, are being shifted to nearby hospitals. The number of injured is, however, yet to be ascertained.
 
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has condemned the killings and directed directed Finance, Education and Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to rush to the spot and review the situation.
   
"I think details are still coming in so we have to wait for some time to find out the confirmed number of killings and the number of extremists neutralised by security forces. Bodoland territorial council chief Hagrama Mohillary has said that 12 persons are on the list of those killed. This is his version," the minister said.
   
Assam Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay said security forces have reacted to it and one suspected militant as been reportedly neutralised.
   
"We have launched an intensive operation.," he said.

 

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