TEZPUR, India, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- As many as 13,000 Indian army troops fanned out across Assam province Tuesday hunting down rebels who have killed 70 people since the weekend.
Military officials said in one encounter Tuesday morning, troops killed two armed United Liberation Front of Assam as Defense Minister AK Anthony had a closed-door meeting in Tezpur with Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and top army commanders to review the security situation, the Press Trust of India reported.
ULFA militants have been targeting Hindi-speaking people, predominantly day laborers in their newest wave of attacks, the BBC said.
"The joint offensive by security forces of both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh are on to track down ULFA rebels believed to be taking shelter here," said Arunachal Pradesh Police Chief Amod Kanth.
Despite government assurances the rebels will be put down, tens of thousands of people are flocking to railway stations in a bid to get out of the province.
Police officials said they are concerned ULFA will intensify its violent campaign in the run-up to India's Republic Day on Jan. 26, and the Indian National Games, scheduled for February in Assam.
