Guwahati, Oct 4 (IANS) Three militants of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) were killed in an encounter by soldiers in Assam Saturday, officials said.An army spokesman said the encounter took place past midnight near village Kendubari in Nalbari district, about 80 km west of Assam’s main city of Guwahati.

“Based on specific intelligence about the presence of three ULFA militants in the area, an army column laid an ambush and there was a firefight in which the militants were shot dead,” an army official said.

A carbine, pistols, grenades, detonators and gelatine sticks were seized from the dead militants. “Probably the militants were planning to strike during the Durga Puja festival and hence carrying explosives,” the official added.

ULFA in recent weeks suffered heavy reverses at the hands of security forces. It is fighting for an independent homeland since 1979.