AGARTALA, Aug 7 (TIWN): Although high alert is imposed in the state, but there is serious militant threat in the state ahead of Independence Day celebrations. With report of militant attack at Assam the security of the state is put on high alert. Fourteen civilians have been killed after terrorists opened fire at a weekly market at Balajan Tinali in the heart of ASSAM's Kokrajhar. Security forces in the area have killed one of the terrorists. Fifteen civilians have been reported injured in the incident. An AK-47 has been recovered from the terrorist who was killed after an intense gun battle that lasted about 20 minutes. Additional forces have been rushed to the spot, even as other terrorists are being pursued by security forces. Apart from opening fire on the market, the terrorists also lobbed a grenade that ravaged three shops.

According to Assam police attack was carried out by the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit), or NDFB (S).

It is to be mentioned here that earlier  Union Home Ministry has alerted all the eight north-eastern states to maintain a maximum vigil to deal with any threat of jihadi activities in the region, a top official said on Monday. The MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) has requested all the eight north-eastern states to remain maximum alert to tackle any threat of jihadi actions in northeast India, especially in Assam, the top official of Tripura government's home department said quoting an advisory of the union home ministry.

The security forces are asked to maintain a maximum vigil along the Bangladesh border to foil any attempt of intrusion and illegal cross-border movement.

Mountainous terrain, dense forests and other natural hindrances make the unfenced border porous and vulnerable, enabling illegal immigrants and intruders to cross over without any hurdle.

Of the 856-km India-Bangladesh border with Tripura, a little over 85 per cent has been fenced so far.

In Tripura, in view of the recent terrorist attack in Dhaka, BSF’s vigil all along the 856-km border with Bangladesh needs to be further tightened.

It is to be mentioned here that the insurgency and illegal trade becomes a common problem due to the lack of fenced area. It is to be, mention that, Tripura shares an 856-km border with Bangladesh and some parts of the border area remain unfenced. The mountainous terrain and dense forests make the border porous and vulnerable to illegal migrants and intruders crossing over. Though Union Ministry instructs to fence the unfenced area, but maximum work remains to be incomplete.

Reportedly, porous border between India-Bangladesh can be said as the corridor for illegal intrusion.

Large scale illegal migration from Bangladesh over several years has been altering the demographic complexion of this State. It poses a grave threat both to the identity of the people of Tripura and to the national security.