Seven villagers in India killed in suspected militant attack

Suspected militants, heavily armed and dressed in army fatigues, opened fire on villagers in restive northeast India, killing at least seven and wounding nine others, police officers said on Monday.

The rebels attacked the villagers late on Sunday in Golapara district of Assam state, while they were playing cards during festivities to celebrate the Hindu holiday of Diwali, two senior officers said.

The militants, belonging to the outlawed separatist group the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), fired on the villagers, killing seven, state Inspector General S.N. Singh said.

“A group of about six to seven GNLA militants armed with AK-47 assault rifles opened fire randomly on a group of villagers,” Singh said.

“Witnesses said the militants were dressed in camouflage fatigues,” Singh said, adding that seven of the nine wounded villagers were in a serious condition.

Soldiers were deployed following the attack in Agia village of the district, about 230 kilometres west of Assam’s largest city Guwahati, where deadly violence between rival ethnic tribal groups has long taken place.