The army and Assam police apprehended six cadres of the NDFB (Songbijit) from Ripu reserve forest near Oxiguri village under the Soraibil border outpost in Kokrajhar district on Monday.

According to army officers, on receiving information about presence of the NDFB (S) militants, a joint operation was carried out by the Sikh Light Infantry (LI) troops of the army’s Red Horns division and Assam police. They laid multiple ambushes and arrested the six militants.

The cadres have been identified as Bahaigya Basumatary, alias Belarwm, a self-styled cultural secretary and deputy finance secretary of the 39th batch of the NDFB (S), Ranjolal Wary, alias Gobla, alias W. Raithab of the 42nd batch, Rubiram Goyary, alias G. Rwmwgwmw, of the 40th batch, Julesh Musharay, alias M. Jujilang, of the 42nd batch, Sailen Borgoyary, alias B. Sibithao, of the 42nd batch NDFB (S) and Rajesh Narzary, alias N. Railang, of the 42nd batch.

During questioning, they disclosed the location of a temporary camp near the site of the arrests. Arms and ammunition, including an M-16 Assault Rifle, six 7.65 mm factory-made pistols, 12 magazines besides medicines and ration were recovered.

Army sources said they had been receiving inputs about presence of this group for approximately three months.

“These six militants belong to the handful of NDFB (S) cadres who are still active in the forest areas of the Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD) and were evading the security forces. Of them, three are from Kokrajhar district and others are from Chirang,” the army officer said.

The arrest is a major setback to the NDFB (S) in Kokrajhar district. Because of hard living conditions, sustained pressure of security forces and lack of local support, most of its cadres are disillusioned and demoralised.