Kautilya's Arthashastra 5.1.22

5.1.22

rātrau divā vā yuddhe pravṛtte tīkṣṇāḥ pratirodhakavyañjanā vā hanyuḥ "abhiyoge hataḥ" iti //

Failing these measures, the king may send a seditious minister with an army of inefficient soldiers and fiery spies to put down a rebellious wild tribe or a village, or to set up a new superintendent of countries or of boundaries in a locality bordering upon a wilderness, or to bring under control a highly-rebellious city, or to fetch a caravan bringing in the tribute due to the king from a neighbouring country. In an affray (that ensues in consequence of the above mission) either by day or at night, the fiery spies, or spies under the guise of robbers (pratirodhaka) may murder the minister and declare that he was killed in the battle.