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Assam: Encounter rages on between ULFA cadres, Army

February 02, 2010 23:49 IST

A 10-year-old boy was killed in the crossfire and two Army troopers injured in a fierce encounter with a group of militants at a village in Kalaigaon area in Udalguri district of Assam on Tuesday night.

The encounter that started nearly six hours ago is still going on, said sources. A militant of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam has also been killed in the encounter.

The Army and the police have laid siege to three villages in the area, sources said.

The security forces launched the operation after receiving information that a group of ULFA militants had taken shelter in a house in the remote village.

Meanwhile, self-styled ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, who is currently behind bars, on Tuesday ruled out holding talks with the Centre.

His statement comes in the wake of Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi's plea to the militants to hold talks to restore peace and normalcy in the trouble-torn state.

K Anurag In Guwahati