Did Terrorists Attack an Army Post in Assam?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Militants attacked an Indian Army post in Kakopathar, Assam.
- Immediate response from the troops prevented further casualties.
- Joint operations with local police are ongoing.
- Security situation in upper Assam remains fragile.
- Previous attacks indicate a resurgence of militant activity.
Guwahati, Oct 17 (NationPress) Unidentified militants launched an assault on an Indian Army post located in Kakopathar, within the Tinsukia district of Assam, around midnight on Friday. This incited a swift and measured response from the troops, as reported by officials.
As per an official statement from the Army, the gunfire originated from a moving vehicle targeting the Kakopathar Company location. The statement noted, “Troops on duty responded immediately and effectively, taking due caution to avoid collateral damage to civilian houses in the close vicinity.”
The exchange of fire continued for several minutes before the assailants withdrew under the pressure of the Army’s retaliatory actions.
Initial reports suggest that the militants employed automatic weapons in a speculative strike intended to assess troop readiness. Although no major injuries were reported, three Army personnel suffered minor abrasions, as confirmed by officials.
The area has been thoroughly sanitized, and joint search operations with the Assam Police are currently ongoing to locate the assailants.
This recent incident has once again highlighted the precarious security situation in upper Assam’s insurgency-affected region, which borders Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar. Kakopathar has historically been a hotspot for militant activity, particularly during the peak of the ULFA (Independent) movement.
In recent years, there have been sporadic attempts by militant groups to reestablish their presence in the area. In November 2023, suspected ULFA(I) militants ambushed an Army patrol near Digboi, injuring two soldiers.
Previously, in June 2022, security forces narrowly evaded a similar attack in Pengeri when militants opened fire from the surrounding forest.
Security agencies believe that small insurgent cells continue to operate along the India-Myanmar border, executing sporadic strikes to assert their existence.
Nonetheless, officials maintain that such attacks have significantly decreased due to effective counter-insurgency operations.
Friday’s incident occurred as security measures were intensified across Assam’s eastern districts in anticipation of the festive season. Senior Army and police officials have arrived at the scene, and reinforcement teams are conducting search operations in the nearby forested areas and along major highways.