Guwahati: Three Armymen, including an officer, were killed and six others seriously injured in an ambush by militants in South Assam's Cachar district on July 16.

The Army personnel of Jat regiment were in a search operation in two vehicles when they were ambushed by militants atop the hills of Jujam under Lakhipur police station about 45 km from district headquarter Silchar, the police said.

The militants used automatic weapons and the Armymen retaliated and the exchange of fire continued for more than a hour.

The encounter resulted in the death of Lieutanant D M Pujari, Subedar Joy Singh and havildar Suhanbir Singh while the injured were rushed to the Masimpur Army headquarter hospital, police said.

While one vehicle was badly damaged the other got bullet hits but managed to escape.

The police said either the Nationalist Social Council of Nagaland (NSCN) (Khaplang) group or the Kuki National Front ultras could be responsible for the ambush.

Top Army and police officials have rushed to the spot and a combing operation launched to nab the ultras, who managed to escape.

PTI