Tinsukia, July 1: In a fierce encounter between United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) and security forces, one ULFA-I cadre was gunned down in upper Assam Tinsukia district on Friday.

The deceased has been identified as Gyan Asom.

Confirming the incident, DIG Jitmol Doley said, “One Ulfa (I) miltant has been gunned down. We suspect that atleast 2-3 members of the group have been injured in the exchange of fire. A large amount of arms and ammunition has been recovered. Our search operation is still underway. All adjacent villages and ecape routes has been cordoned off so that the militants cannot escape,”.

According to sources, the security forces received an information regarding the presence of six ULFA-I cadre led by Rupon Asom taking shelter at Dapather Majgaon under Kakopathar police station.

“After receiving the input a joint team of 14 Assam Regiment and police launched an operation. The security team came under heavy gunfire as soon as they approached the house where they have taken shelter. They also attached the security team with two grenades,” sources said.

“In retaliatory fire, two cadres sustained bullet injuries as they tried to flee towards the path from the backyard of the house,”

Later, the body of one cadre was recovered.

“A bag containing an IED has been recovered from the house where they were hiding. The group entered the house in the wee hours on Friday and took shelter on gun point,” the source said.

Meanwhile, security forces have launched combing operation to nab the Ulfa-I cadres.