Five killed, 1 injured as suspected militants attack trucks in Assam district
Police said around 8.30pm, a group of armed men stopped the trucks, including six carrying cement and one loaded with coal, and started firing indiscriminately
Five people were killed and one injured when suspected militants fired indiscriminately at seven trucks and later set them afire on Thursday night in Assam's Dima Hasao district.
Police said around 8.30pm, a group of armed men stopped the trucks, including six carrying cement and one loaded with coal, and started firing indiscriminately.
"The group fired at the vehicles for several minutes and then set them afire. Five persons have died in the incident and one sustained injury. All of them are drivers and handymen of the trucks," said Jayant Singh, superintendent of police, Dima Hasao.
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Authorities suspect the involvement of the Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA) in the attack.
Formed in April 2019, DNLA seeks an independent nation for the Dimasa community through an armed struggle. In recent months, members of the outfit have been killed in gun battles with security forces or have surrendered.
A cement factory's refusal to yield to DNLA's extortion demands is also suspected to have led to Thursday's attack.
"Additional forces were rushed to the spot immediately after the incident and a combing operation is underway to nab those involved in the incident," Singh said.
