Security forces kill two suspected militants in Meghalaya

At least two armed suspected militants were killed in a gun battle with security forces in Meghalaya's North Garo Hills district on Sunday.

Acting on intelligence inputs given by the armed men in the area, a special police team and troops from Assam's 19 Dogra regiment raided the hideouts at Rari last night, district SP Ramesh Singh said.

At around 4:40 am on Sunday, the militants opened indiscriminate fire after spotting the security forces, with two killed militants killed in the retaliatory attack, he said.

Their identity is yet to be established, but it is suspected that they belong to the A'chik Matgrik Elite Force (AMEF), he said.

A 9 mm pistol with two live rounds, two empty cases, a 7.65 mm pistol with three live rounds, a mobile phone, three SIM cards and an airbag containing medicines and clothes were recovered from the slain militants, he said.
AMEF leader Jack Marak was gunned down earlier in May this year.

Four militants belonging to the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB-S) of Assam and an explosive supplier were arrested with 144 gelatine sticks and 126 detonators in East Jaintia Hills district early on Sunday.

Acting on a tip-off, a special team of the state police raided Byndihati village in the wee hours and the four were rounded up, district SP Spill Thamar said.

He said during the raid, the militants were trying to smuggle explosives out of the state and the supplier was also arrested.

At least 144 gelatine sticks and 126 detonators were seized from the militants.

Among the militants were self-styled commander of the NDFB-S identified as Bolashi Boro and his deputy Santosh Kharkekary alias K Shimang, he said.