Six militants of an insurgent group were killed in an encounter on Friday in Assam's Karbi Anglong district. Two leaders of the Karbi Peoples Liberation Tigers were among the six members of the group who were shot dead in a gunfight with security forces. An Army jawaan was also injured in the encounter, PTI reported.

A joint team of Army soldiers and local police launched the operation around 1 am on Friday. Superintendent of Police Debojit Deuri said the exchange of fire took place in the forest area of Banipathar, adding that they will identify the militants soon. Security forces recovered two grenades, one self-loading rifle, an INSAS rifle and three pistols.

The insurgent group was formed in 2010-'11 by a faction of the Karbi National Liberation Front (which was formed to fight for the rights of the Karbi tribe, it said) after it declared a ceasefire. The Liberation Front also had ties with the United Liberation Front of Asom, or ULFA. The Liberation Tigers are now active in Karbi Anglong district Bokajan region.