Probe on to identify militants behind Kokrajhar attack: Rajnath Singh

5 Dariya News

New Delhi 08-Aug-2016

Investigations are on to identify the militants responsible for killing 14 innocent persons in the crowded marketplace of Kokrajhar town of Assam on Friday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh told the Lok Sabha on Monday."One AK-47, two magazines and other explosives have been recovered from the extremists. The identity of the extremist organisation is yet to be known," Rajnath Singh said while making a suo motu statement in the Lok Sabha.The minister said militants came in army uniform and attacked the marketplace."At least 14 people were killed, including eight Bodo people, a woman and a boy. Nineteen other people were seriously injured. The local police and security forces acted tough against the extremists and killed one of them, whose identity is yet to be ascertained," Rajnath Singh said.

He also offered condolences to the bereaved families.The Home Minister said he has asked the state government to find out the details of the extremist group and act tough against them.Earlier, the Lok Sabha condoled the deaths in Kokrajhar militant attack.As soon as the house assembled for the day to resume its session after the weekend break, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan read out a brief statement describing the actions of the terrorists in Kokrajhar as an act of "cowardice".The members stood in silence for a while as a mark of respect for the deceased.In the worst terror attack in the northeastern state of Assam since 2014, gunmen in military fatigues opened fire on Friday at a crowded marketplace in Kokrajhar town, killing 14 civilians.One of the attackers was also killed after an army patrol party fired back.Authorities in the state have blamed the anti-talks faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) led by I.K. Songbijit, who carries a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, for the massacre.