In a major breakthrough against insurgency, the Unified Command of the Indian Army formation deployed in Rangia in close coordination with intelligence agencies, Assam Police and Meghalaya Police, carried out “Operation Malakand” on 10 Nov 2020, which resulted in surrender of Self Styled Deputy Commander-in-Chief of ULFA (I) Drishti Rajkhowa alias Manoj Rabha, along with four other dreaded Cadres namely Corporal Vedanta, Yasin Asom, Rop Jyoti Asom and Mithun Asom.

Meghalaya Police escorted the most wanted elusive ULFA (I) leader Dristi Rajkowa, who surrendered before the Army at Dilsengre village in South Garo Hills. Rajkowa had crossed over from Gaobari village from Bangladesh to surrender. Superintendent of Police, East Garo Hills Bruno Sangma said that the Deputy Commander in Chief of ULFA(I) had revealed that due to heavy operations in Bangladesh against insurgents they had fled and contacted the army officials to surrender. Sangma also said that Rajkowa revealed that they had recently escaped police encounters from Bolbokgre village in South Garo Hills. Rajkowa has been very close to GNLA and was instrumental to unleash terror during the peak of GNLA outfit in Garo Hills between 2014-2017.

Drishti Rajkhowa, known as an RPG expert is said to be a close confidant to Paresh Baruah, the Commander-in-Chief of United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent). He had been an active member of the terrorist outfit ULFA for the past 30 years. Since last year multiple efforts have been launched by various intelligence and security agencies of the Unified Command for the neutralization of Drishti Rajkhowa. But, it was this combined effort which has resulted in success. It was a result of synergy and close cooperation which has been achieved between Indian Army, Intelligence agencies, Assam & Meghalaya Police Force and other Security Forces of the two States.

The surrender of Drishti Rajkhowa along with 4 other Cadres of ULFA (I) has certainly given a severe blow to the ulterior motives of ULFA (I) which had been trying to gain prominence and revive insurgency in lower Assam by undertaking large scale recruitment. However, Drishti Rajkhowa and his accomplices will, in the times to come, motivate other misguided youth and cadres to follow their lead and come overground to live a dignified life, working for the betterment of the community. The Unified Command remains committed in its drive for a terror free Assam and Meghalaya.