Twelve civilians were killed by militants on Friday while several others were injured when a group of heavily armed militants opened fire in a crowded market place in Assam’s Kokrajhar district. One militant was gunned down by the security forces and arms and ammunition found on his body.
Police said the group of militants came in a car and swooped down on Balajan Tiniali market on Friday afternoon.
Security forces patrolling the area retaliated and one militant was killed, the police said.
Police have so far recovered 13 bodies and search operations are continuing in the area as the militants are suspected to be hiding in nearby buildings.
The entire area has been cordoned off by police and security personnel and the injured, many of them critical, are being shifted to nearby hospitals.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has condemned the killings and directed the authorities to provide medical aid to the injured. He also directed Finance, Education and Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to rush to the spot and review the situation.
(Inputs: PTI)
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