Suspected rebels of outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) on Monday gunned down four personnel of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), including a sub-inspector and critically wounded three others in an ambush near Bijni in Chirang district of Western Assam.
Security sources said that seven SSB personnel, who were deployed on Indo-Bhutan border, were proceeding towards Amlaiguri from Shiklaijhar Border Outpost in a Gypsy when heavily-armed NDFB rebels hiding in the forested area opened indiscriminate fire on them. The NDFB rebels are also suspected to have blocked the road by putting timber logs on the road to trap the SSB soldiers.
Among those killed were identified as sub-inspector Pratap Singh, constable Kishore Kunal, constable Helsu Sherpa and driver Amit Tiwari.
The incident took place at about 12 noon. Security sources however admitted that the SSB personnel were caught oblivious to the NDFB plan as they were involved border guarding duties. Senior SSB and district police officials have reached to the spot and a combing operation has been launched to flush out the NDFB rebels.
The security agencies have already been alerted about the NDFB plans to target the security forces. About Monday’s incident security forces did not rule out the possibility of involvement of gang of timber smugglers which in league with NDFB rebels are alleged to have been involved in smuggling of timbers from Manas Tiger Reserve.
Security sources said that SSB which deployed to guard the International border was resisting the attempt of timber smugglers which have nexus with NDFB rebels.
It is also suspected that timber smugglers may also be instrumental in provoking the NDFB rebels for attack, security sources said.