Five killed in suspected militant attack on trucks in Assam's Dima Hasao

On Thursday night, Militants are said to have opened fire on a truck carrying coal

Suspected militants sprayed bullets on five trucks and then set them on fire on Thursday night in Assam's Dima Hasao district killing at least five persons and injuring another.

The incident took place in Diyumbra area in Dima Hasao, a hilly district in central Assam, which has a history of militancy problem.

Police sources said five charred bodies have been recovered from the burnt trucks so far. Another person was rushed to hospital with serious injuries. The victims were drivers or handymen of the trucks.

The incident took place at around 9 pm on Thursday at the remote area when the five trucks were carrying coal and clinkers for a private cement company. "According to preliminary evidence, the miscreants first opened fire at the trucks and then set them on fire. We are trying to identify who were behind the attack," a police said in Dima Hasao, situated about 300-km from Guwahati.

Police suspect the Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA), a small militant group, could be behind the attack.

DNLA demands a "sovereign state" for the Dimasas, one of the tribes in Assam, inhabiting mostly in central and South Assam.

Police said investigation was under way to find out if the militant group demanded money from the cement company before carrying out the attack.

In May this year, security forces killed seven members of DNLA and stepped up operation against the group, which reportedly was carrying out extortion and abduction in Dima Hasao. The major militant groups were either disbanded or are in talks with the government but activities of the DNLA has become a worry for both security forces and the government.