An unidentified gunman on Friday opened fire in a crowded area, three kilometres away from the Kokrajhar in which at least 13 people have been killed and 15 were wounded. One militant has been killed when police responded to the open firing. The intense gun battle lasted about 20 minutes.
The incident took place at a weekly market at Balajan Tinali in the heart of Assam’s Kokrajhar. Police have recovered an AK-47 from the terrorist who was killed.
An eyewitness from the market said that one gunman was dressed in black raincoat-like gown and another two were sitting in an auto rickshaw. He claimed that the gunman was targeting people and taking one shot at a time.
The incident of open firing in a market is first of its kind in the militancy-withered state. Defence PRO Lt Col S Newton said that there were at least three militants and army is searching the area for them.
It is said that the terrorists belong to a Bodo outfit. The attack is seen as alarming in view of the coming Independence Day.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the incident. Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that his ministry is monitoring the situation closely.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said that his ministry is ensuring peace in Assam and will ensure that the victims are taken care of.
