Kakopathar, Assam: A tense night unfolded in Kakopathar as unidentified terrorists launched an attack on an Indian Army camp around midnight on Friday. Defence sources said the militants fired at the Kakopathar Company location from a moving vehicle at approximately 12.30 am, prompting troops to retaliate while taking care to avoid civilian casualties.

The assault reportedly involved three Under Barrel Grenade Launchers (UBGLs) and continued with nearly half an hour of gunfire. Despite the intensity, only minor injuries were reported, with three Army personnel sustaining abrasions.

“No major injuries were sustained other than minor abrasions to three personnel. The area has been sanitised and joint searches in coordination with the police are being carried out,” a defence spokesperson said.

Attack details and escape

Sources revealed that the attackers arrived in a truck from the Doomdooma direction and fled towards Arunachal Pradesh after carrying out the firing using automatic weapons. Security forces later recovered the suspected vehicle, bearing registration AS 25 EC 2359, from Tengapani Ghat near the Noa Dihing river along the Assam-Arunachal border.

The ULFA (Independent) outfit is suspected to be behind the attack, although investigations are ongoing.

Following the incident, the Army and local police launched a joint search operation to apprehend the assailants. Security forces have stepped up patrolling in border regions, particularly near the Assam-Arunachal interstate boundary, to prevent further incidents.

Local reactions

A local resident described the terrifying ordeal: “It was past midnight when we suddenly heard the sound of gunshots. At first, I thought it was raining, but later we realised it was gunfire. A group arrived in a truck and started firing at the army camp. The army retaliated, and the attackers eventually fled. Later, high-ranking police officials arrived at the scene. We are still terrified.”

Authorities continue to investigate the attack and are working to strengthen security measures in sensitive border areas.