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Security forces launched massive search operations against ULFA (I) rebels in the Kakorani and Kotha Reserve forest areas under Jagun police station in Tinsukia district along Arunachal Pradesh border on Monday following an encounter with the rebels in the forest on Sunday evening.

According to Army, ULFA (I) rebels were injured in the encounter. “We have intensified operations to ascertain the militants,” an Army official told Northeast Now.

Suspected ULFA (I) militants hurled a grenade on an Army convoy at Katabari forest under on Sunday evening.

The ULFA (I) militant’s lobbed the grenade targeting Army vehicles, the sources said. Sources said the Army has retaliated and an encounter has ensued.

Intelligence sources said a team of six member ULFA (I) rebels have sneaked into Tinsukia district from its bases in Eastern Nagaland to carry out subversive activities in the run up to Republic Day.

The ULFA (I) intensified its subversive activities along Arunachal Pradesh border in Tinsukia district during the last few days.

A group of four armed ULFA (I) rebels gunned down Anteswar Mahanta and his son Arun in Dirak-Hunjan village in Bordumsa close to the Assam-Arunachal border on December 11.

Arunabh Phukan, a resident of Jagun, was kidnapped by a five armed ULFA (I) cadre, led by Rupam Asom, from old Khamdu village in Jairampur, 6km from Jagun, on December 15 in broad daylight. He was released by ULFA (I) on December 25, 10 days after abducting him.

The outfit had served extortion note through SMS from one tea estate in this area in November last year. Police also anticipate the possibility of the banned outfit creating disturbances during the proposed Global Investors’ Summit, which is scheduled to be held here in February.