Guwahati, September 23 :

A policeman was killed yesterday in an encounter with suspected militants of

the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), the first such attack since

the cessation of hostilities between the rebels and security forces.

A police official said ULFA militants and police team were locked in a gunfight yesterday in Dibrugarh district, about 500 km east of Assam’s main city of Guwahati. “One policeman was killed in the attack. We are awaiting details of the incident as the village is located in a remote area,” a senior police official said.

This is the first attack on security forces after New Delhi on August 13 announced suspension of military operations against the ULFA to facilitate holding of peace talks with the outfit.

The ULFA too reciprocated the government’s ‘goodwill gesture’ by announcing cessation of hostilities for an indefinite period.

The government’s ceasefire, however, expired on Wednesday although there were indications the centre might further extend the truce.