Top NDFB(S) militant nabbed in joint police-army operation in Assam

Those apprehended included central committee member and self-styled 2nd Lieutenant Enon Bargoyary alias Erkhang, said to be the chief recruiting officer of the NDFB(S) and self-styled Platoon Commander Rinen Basumatary alias Majhiwere.

A senior army officer described Enon as number 3 in hierarchy within the militant organisation.

A press release issued by Lt Col Suneet Newton, Defence PRO here said Enon Bargoyary was a Bhutan-trained terrorist who was instrumental in carrying out most recruitments to the NDFB(S) in recent times, and is a trusted lieutenant of the outfit’s chief IK Songbijit, armed wing chief G Bidai and deputy armed wing chief Batha. He is also believed to be the brain behind the killing of Adivasi settlers in Kokrajhar district on December 23.

Another key NDFB(S) member apprehended is Rinen of the outfit’s 20th batch trained in Bhutan, who surrendered after Operation All Clear in 2003 but rejoined the group two years back.

Four weapons –two AK rifles and two pistols — and large quantity of ammunition were recovered from the apprehended persons, the sources said.

The army has been carrying out operations in difficult and inaccessible forested areas of Kokrajhar and Chirang districts which has forced NDFB(S) terrorists to flee from their safe hideouts and move to more vulnerable areas, where they are being apprehended or neutralised by the security forces.