GUWAHATI, June 7 - A Major of the Territorial Army was killed in an encounter in Mon district of Nagaland bordering Sivasagar, in which security forces gunned down three ULFA(I) cadres and a civilian driver who was ferrying the militants in an auto.
The encounter took place late last night between Lapa Lempong and Oting villages near Tizit, security sources told The Assam Tribune.
Security forces intercepted the auto in which the militants were travelling, following which a fierce encounter took place in the area.
�Troops of the 164 Territorial Army and 12 Para Forces, on being tipped off about the movement of militants in the area, launched an operation. When they signalled the approaching auto to stop, the occupants opened fire. There was a heavy exchange of fire,� the sources added.
Reports indicated that the militants were cadres of the NSCN(K) and ULFA(I).
Major David Manlum, who led the operation, was killed in the gunbattle.
The slain militants were identified as ULFA(I)�s �second lieutenant� Phanindra Asom (35) of Mathurapur, Bipul Asom (32) of Namtola and Dikom Konwar (35) of Mahmora. The civilian driver, Rajendra Gupta, was also killed in the encounter. He was a local resident and it was not clear if he had any links with the militants.
Three personnel of 12 Para were also wounded and airlifted to the military hospital at Jorhat.
Two AK-56 rifles, an AK-47 rifle, nine magazines, 277 rounds of ammunition, two hand grenades, four mobile handsets, medicines, blankets, sharp weapons and other warlike stores were seized from the encounter spot, according to the seizure list submitted by the security forces at the Tizit Police Station.
