Assam Police, in coordination with Assam Rifles and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), arrested Rupam Asom, a suspected commander of the banned militant group ULFA (Independent), from the Lekhapani area near the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border early Saturday. Several firearms and explosives were seized during the operation.

Tinsukia Superintendent of Police Gaurav Abhijit Dilip stated that Rupam Asom was involved in extortion, arms smuggling, and other unlawful activities in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. He was also linked to the 2018 attack in Tinsukia, which resulted in the death of Bhaskar Kalita, officer-in-charge of Bordumsa police station.

The operation was launched following intelligence inputs from Kolkata-based Military Intelligence. Along with Rupam Asom, police recovered a pistol, hand grenades, and other devices. The search for other militants in the area is ongoing.

Additional SP (HQ) Tinsukia Mrinmoy Das described Rupam Asom as a key ULFA (I) cadre responsible for several operations across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Investigations into the group’s network continue.