Soldiers kill seven militants in Assam

Seven terrorists were killed in a gunbattle with soldiers in Assam's western Dhubri district early today. A large cache of weapons and explosives were seized.

Seven terrorists were killed in a gunbattle with soldiers in Assam's western Dhubri district early Friday. A large cache of weapons and explosives, including RDX, was seized from the militants, officials said.

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The gunbattle took place before dawn near Basbari village in Dhubri district, about 270 km west of Assam's main city Guwahati.

"Based on intelligence reports that there was some movement of terrorists, an army column laid an ambush. The terrorists challenged the soldiers and soon there was a gunbattle in which seven of the militants were killed," Col. Rajesh Kalia, a defence spokesperson, told IANS.

He said the identity of the terrorists was not immediately known.

A large cache of small arms, including six revolvers, about two kilograms of RDX, grenades, gelatine sticks and wireless sets were seized from the dead terrorists.

"Bangladeshi currency notes and cigarette packets made in Bangladesh were recovered from the dead terrorists and we are looking at all aspects, including possibilities of those killed being members of any terror operatives from Bangladesh," a police official said.

Dhubri district borders Bangladesh and militants are known to enter India from the adjoining country, taking advantage of the unfenced border and poorly patrolled rivers that form the border in many places.