AGARTALA. India. Dec 11: Four tribals were killed and six wounded by suspected Bengali militants in India's northeastern state of Tripura, police said today, reports Reuters.

The victims described as poor migrant cultivators, were attacked on Friday night at Krishna Tilla. about 190 km (105 miles) north east of Agartala, the state capital.

"The assailants first lobbed crude bombs and then started chopping the tribals. Four were killed on the spot and six sustained serious injuries in the attack," north Tripura District Superintendent of Police. Nepal Das. told Reuters. "We suspect Bengali militants are responsible for the crime."

Police officials said it may have been a retaliatory attack after 18 Bengalis were massacred by suspected tribal separatists last month.