16 killed in Assam

GUWAHATI, DEC. 22. Sixteen persons, including 10 Bhutanese woollen garment sellers, were shot dead and another was injured by the National Democratic Front of Bodoland militants in the lower Assam districts of Barpeta, Darrang and Nalbari last night , according to official sources.

The militants swooped down on the Bhutanese hawking woollens near Kokilabari in Barpeta district, seven km from the border, and gunned down nine, the sources said.

The same night, the NDFB fired on another group of garment sellers at Bengbari in Darrang district killing one and seriously injuring another, the sources added.

A Nepali garment seller was also killed in the gunfire. The ultras shot dead five BLT militants after barging into their hideout under the Masalpur police station in Nalbari district.

- PTI

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