IGP (Law & Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh said the post had been hit by sophisticated rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). (File Photo)
A police commando post was attacked by suspected militants at Jagun in Assam’s Tinsukia district in the early hours of Sunday, leaving four police personnel injured.
IGP (Law & Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh said the post was hit by sophisticated rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). “One of the grenades entered a window in the building and exploded inside the room, leading to the injuries to four personnel. It caused a fire, because of which one of the personnel received burn injuries. All four of them are currently receiving medical treatment,” he said.
Later on Sunday, the Paresh Baruah-led ULFA (I) claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement, the proscribed outfit claimed that the attack was in response to “repeated actions” and operations against its members. It called the attack a “message” to deter further operations.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called the attack “condemnable”.
“The Army and police have launched a combined counter-insurgency operation. I think those who have done it will be caught,” he said.
IGP Singh said the post that was targeted is located in a thinly populated area. “The attack took place around 2.15 am. There is a sentry outpost, but this is in an area surrounded by forests in all directions, and there is not much of a population here. When the security personnel retaliated, the attackers fled,” he said.
The attack comes just weeks ahead of the Assembly election in Assam, scheduled to take place on April 9. This is the first time that elections will be held in a single phase in the state, something that officials have attributed largely to the “improved law and order” situation.
Ahead of the election, the state has requested the Centre for 800 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), of which 200 have arrived in the state so far. “There will be more forces coming in, and we will be further increasing our security arrangements after this incident,” said Singh.
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