Kokrajhar (Assam), 25 October (HS): A militant identified as Apil Murmu alias Rohit Murmu (40), allegedly involved in the recent bomb blast on a railway track in Kokrajhar, was killed in a police encounter at Nadangguri under Salakati Police Outpost early Saturday morning. The incident was confirmed by Kokrajhar Police during a press briefing.

According to officials, Murmu was also wanted in connection with a similar railway blast case in Jharkhand last year. After the incident, he had fled to Assam and was residing in Kokrajhar district under the name Apil Murmu.

Police sources revealed that Murmu was originally from both Jharkhand and Assam’s Kochugaon area and had earlier been a member of the NDFB (Nasla) militant outfit. Following the group’s surrender, he escaped to Jharkhand, where he formed his own faction and served as a commandant. Later, he established links with Maoist groups and continued violent activities since 2015.

A pistol, grenade, voter ID and Aadhaar card from Jharkhand were recovered from the site. Police have launched further operations in the area to trace other possible associates.

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash