NAMSAI, Dec 2: In a significant counter-insurgency success, a coordinated team comprising Namsai Police, G-Coy 186 Bn CRPF, A-Coy of 11 Assam Rifles Namsai, and Tinsukia Police recovered a hidden cache of arms and ammunition from the dense Nongtaw Khamti jungle area at around 0700 hrs today.
The recovery came after ULFA(I) cadre SS Sergeant Ban Asom, who recently surrendered before Tinsukia Police, led the security forces to the concealed site. During the operation, the team recovered:
- One 7.62 mm MQ RA81 Rifle
- 153 live rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition
- One IY shell
Officials described the seizure as a vital development in cracking down on insurgent remnants operating along the Assam–Arunachal border.
Investigators highlighted that Ban Asom, alias Bairab Hazarika, was among the 15 ULFA(I) militants involved in the armed assault on the Army camp at Kakopathar. He had also been part of the group that escaped after an encounter with 11 Assam Rifles at 6th Mile, Namsai, making his decision to surrender—and subsequently cooperate—a turning point in the ongoing crackdown.
Security forces are continuing follow-up operations to verify whether more arms or hideouts remain in the area, with authorities affirming their commitment to fully neutralizing militant activities in the region.
