Assam DGP Conducts On-Site Inspection After Ulfa-I Rocket Attack on Commando Camp
In a significant response to a major security breach, Assam Director General of Police (DGP) Harmeet Singh visited the Assam Police Commando Battalion camp at 10th Mile in Jagun, Tinsukia district, on Monday. This visit came just one day after the camp was targeted in a pre-dawn rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) assault by the banned militant group Ulfa-I. The DGP's presence underscores the gravity of the incident, which has sent shockwaves through the state's security apparatus.
High-Level Security Review and Coordination Meeting
Accompanied by Tinsukia Superintendent of Police Mayank Kumar, DGP Singh meticulously inspected the camp premises to assess the damage and evaluate the current security posture. Following the inspection, he chaired a crucial high-level meeting with senior police officials and intelligence operatives. The primary agenda was to coordinate and intensify ongoing counter-insurgency operations along the sensitive Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border region, aiming to prevent further such incidents.
DGP's Firm Stance and Update on Injured Commandos
Addressing the media at the attack site, DGP Harmeet Singh issued a stern warning, stating, "We will take action. Whatever legal action that we need to take will be taken." He directly questioned the militants' motives, adding, "I want to say to those who have done it: what benefit such incidents will bring? It has not benefitted Assam or the Assamese people." Singh also provided a detailed medical update on the four commandos injured in the 2:05 AM Sunday attack: Chittaranjan Mili, Debashish Bora, Rabi Garh, and Jimbush Marak.
He reported, "I have visited the injured personnel at the hospital. Three of them have splinter injuries and they will undergo surgery after their swelling subsides. Another commando, who sustained burn injuries due to the RPG blasts, has been shifted to Guwahati for advanced treatment." This highlights the severe impact of the assault on security personnel.
Ulfa-I Claims Retaliation and Details of the Attack
The militant group Ulfa-I has officially named this assault "Operation Bujoni." According to security assessments, the attack involved multiple RPG rounds and sustained automatic weapons fire. In the aftermath, security agencies recovered unexploded under-barrel grenade launcher ammunition from the site. This hazardous material was subsequently destroyed in a controlled demolition carried out by the Indian Army's specialized Red Shield Sappers unit, ensuring no further threat remained.
In a statement released through its publicity wing, Ulfa-I claimed the attack was a retaliatory measure. The outfit alleged that security forces had continued offensive operations despite Ulfa-I's self-imposed suspension of attacks on Assam Police following the 2021 state elections. This claim adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict dynamics in the region.
Political Condemnation and Broader Security Concerns
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma strongly condemned the attack, labeling it as "unfortunate." He confirmed that a joint operation by the Indian Army and Assam Police is actively underway to apprehend those responsible and bolster security. The timing of this attack is particularly alarming for the security establishment, as Assam is scheduled to hold elections on April 9. Such incidents raise significant concerns about maintaining law and order during the critical pre-poll period, potentially impacting voter confidence and regional stability.
The combined efforts of the DGP's review, the high-level coordination, and the political response highlight a unified stance against militancy, emphasizing the state's commitment to security and justice in the face of provocation.
