NLFT, ATTF battle it out in Bangladesh

AGARTALA, June 21 ? Reports of fierce infighting between the rival militant groups belonging to NLFT and ATTF are pouring in from Bangladesh. Both the militant outfits are at present holed up in the neighbouring country from where they cross over to Indian territory to carry out attacks. According to an unconfirmed report, recently the NLFT (Nayanbashi) faction pulled off a severe attack on an ATTF camp in Bangladesh. The NLFT (N) contingent led by one Thomas Debbarma shot dead seven ATTF militants and snatched away seven AK series rifles and one SLR. The attack was followed by yet another attack where two ATTF women cadres were killed. The NLFT (N) faction had earlier maintained close relations with the ATTF after the former split away from the main NLFT group led by Biswamohan group. But the relation soured two months ago when four NLFT militants were killed by the ATTF at Khowai interior in West Tripura. The reason for the killing was known but it severed the relations. However, according to reports, only recently the leadership of the NLFT Nayanbashi faction went to Joshua Debbarma alias Jogendra Debbarma who decided to carry out the retaliatory attack on ATTF camps. The intelligence sources meantime claimed that the ATTF had to shift their main base camp at Satcherri in Bangladesh just opposite to Sidhai in West Tripura district following a joint clamp down of BDR and Bangladesh Army in that area. The joint operation against the Tripura militants is viewed as the outcome of Dhaka?s recent stand to improve relations with India before the foreign secretary level talks which was held on June 17 in Delhi. ?We have specific reports of BDR and Bangladesh Army?s joint operations on June 7 last. But before the clamp down the militants had been tipped off and they shifted their camps,? said an officer here. According to reports there are more than 39 camps of the Tripura militants in Bangladesh soil. The leaders of the both ATTF and NLFT organisations are staying in Bangladesh and invest crores of rupees in transport and other business there.