Diphu (Assam): Fourteen Karbis were killed and an unspecified number injured, two of them critically, by marauding Kuki militants in Assam's Karbi Anglong district, police said.

Inspector general of police Khagen Sarma said a group of ultras armed with sophisticated weapons swooped on the interior of Chapou Teron village under Bokajan police station early this morning (Mar 24, 2004).

The sleeping villagers were caught unawares and the militants opened fire indiscriminately, killing many on the spot while others were shot as they made an attempt to escape.

Senior district officials have rushed to the massacre site and search operations are on to recover the many bodies that are strewn all over the village.

A large number of Karbi villagers have fled the area and taken shelter in temporary relief camps at nearby Dilai area.

Security throughout the district has been tightened, with patrolling intensified in sensitive areas.

Karbi Anglong has witnessed recent ethnic violence between Karbi and Kuki tribals since October last year, with more than 40 people of both communities losing their lives.

Army operations were launched in the district since November and several Karbi villages have been vacated due to fear of reprisal by Kukis.