GUWAHATI: With logistics vans carrying cash to ATMs and bank branches across the country since the demonetization of high-value currency notes, militants ambushed a vehicle in Assam's Tinsukia district early Wednesday morning and killed one person and left two others wounded.
The vehicle, belonging to a tea estate of Pengeri in Tinsukia district, was headed to Doomdooma to fetch cash from a bank when it came under fire. The militants believed it to be carrying cash.
"The incident took place in a forested area. Four people were travelling in the vehicle. One of them was killed and two others, including a security guard, were injured. The injured have been rushed to a hospital," police said.
Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned the incident. "It was an act of cowardice perpetrated on innocent people who were going to withdraw cash for tea garden workers. I assure everybody that the perpetrators won't go scot-free and stringent action will be taken against them," he said in a statement.
The chief minister directed the police to launch a combing operation to nab the perpetrators.