ULFA(I) RPG Attack in Tinsukia Injures Four Assam Police Commandos

In a significant security incident, at least four Assam Police commandos sustained injuries in a pre-dawn attack by suspected United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) militants on a commando battalion camp in Jagun, Tinsukia district, Assam, on Sunday, March 22, 2026. The assault, which occurred around 2:00 AM at the camp located in the 10th Mile area of Jagun, involved the lobbing of four to five rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) by the attackers. Following the initial explosions, a heavy exchange of gunfire ensued between the militants and security personnel, lasting approximately 20 minutes. Initial reports from officials and the Assam Police indicated that four personnel were injured. While some sources stated three sustained minor wounds and one was seriously injured, others highlighted serious injuries for all four, with one commando reported to be in critical condition. The injured commandos were promptly evacuated and rushed to a nearby medical facility, specifically the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh, for treatment. AMCH superintendent Dhruvajyoti Bhuyan later confirmed that all injured personnel were out of danger and in a stable condition. The injured personnel have been identified as Chitranjan Milli (also cited as Mili), Debashis Bora, Ravi Garh (also cited as Robin Ghosh), and Jambuch Marak (also cited as Jimbus Marak), hailing from Jorhat, Chabua (Dibrugarh), and Goalpara. The banned militant outfit ULFA-I swiftly claimed responsibility for the attack, codenaming it 'Operation Bujoni'. In a statement, ULFA-I asserted that the strike was carried out in retaliation for what it termed 'repeated police actions' against its members, including alleged killings, arrests, 'encounter killings,' and drone strikes by the Indian Army on its camps last year. The outfit stated that it had previously suspended offensive operations against the Assam Police as a gesture of goodwill after the 2021 Assembly elections but alleged that security forces continued to target its members. It warned that continued action could lead to further escalation, emphasizing that it does not seek individual hostility with Assam Police personnel. The incident has triggered widespread concern across Assam, particularly as it occurred ahead of the state assembly elections scheduled for April 9, 2026. Authorities believe the attack, suspected to have been carried out by a seven-member group, may be an attempt to disrupt the pre-poll atmosphere. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma strongly condemned the 'unfortunate' incident during a visit to Haflong on Sunday, stating that a joint Army-Police operation is actively underway to apprehend the perpetrators. In response to the attack, security forces immediately launched extensive search and cordon operations in the area to track down the militants. A high alert has been declared throughout the Tinsukia district and along the inter-state borders, with security forces intensifying patrolling. The militants are suspected to have fled across the inter-state border into neighboring Arunachal Pradesh under the cover of darkness. Police and security sources have cited the use of sophisticated weaponry like RPGs and ULFA-I's historical operational presence in the region, along with its cross-border links to Myanmar, as strong indicators of their involvement. Security agencies are also reportedly investigating possible connections to recent extortion demands made to local businessmen by ULFA-I. The Indian Army has launched a combing operation in coordination with the Assam Police to apprehend the militants. This attack underscores the persistent security challenges faced by the region, particularly from insurgent groups like ULFA-I, which has been involved in militant activities in Assam for over four decades.

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