Guwahati, Sep 24 (IANS) Military operations against the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) resumed Sunday in the northeastern state of Assam after the central government called off a 40-day ceasefire Wednesday, threatening a fragile peace process in the region, officials said.

An Assam government spokesman said soldiers of the Dinjan based 2nd Mountain Division in eastern Assam's Tinsukia district began anti-insurgency operations after the rebels killed a tea planter and a policeman in stepped up attacks and large-scale extortion drive over the weekend.

"The central government has decided to call off the truce and resume military operations against the ULFA in view of the stepped up attacks and extortion drive by the rebels," Assam Chief Secretary S.K. Kabilan told IANS.

He said the army has resumed operations in some parts of the state. There is no immediate reaction available from the ULFA.

New Delhi on Aug 13 announced suspension of military operations against the ULFA for 10 days to facilitate holding direct peace talks with the rebel leadership. The ceasefire was extended thrice and expired last Wednesday.

The ULFA too reciprocated the government's 'goodwill gesture' by announcing cessation of hostilities for an indefinite period.

Holding of direct peace talks between the ULFA leadership and government peace negotiators were, however, deadlocked with the central government seeking a formal letter from the outfit stating that it was ready for direct talks, name the outfit's negotiating team members and specify timeframe for the dialogue.

The ULFA maintains that the outfit was not in a position to take a decision and write a letter to the government without their five central committee leaders who are currently in jail and hence insisting on their release first.

"This is a real setback for the peace process and the government gave the ULFA enough opportunity to prove their sincerity. But the rebels frustrated the government by negating their gestures," Arindam Nath, a retired schoolteacher said.