Shillong, Jan 27 (IANS) A fierce gunfight lasting an hour broke out between Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) rebels and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commandos in the jungles of Meghalaya's West Khasi Hills district Friday. There was no casualty on the security forces' side, police said.
The gunfight came on the day GNLA military wing chief Sohan D. Shira gave the slip to the police. Two Meghalaya government engineers kidnapped three days ago by the rebels also remained untraced Friday.
The exchange of fire took place at Rengchi area of the district, bordering Bangladesh when SWAT commandos came under fire from a group of GNLA rebels hiding there.
"The encounter lasted for an hour and the militants retreated into the jungles after intensive firing from security forces," a police official told IANS on phone from Nongstoin, the district headquarters of West Khasi Hills, about 93 km from Shillong.
Though there were no casualties on the security forces' side, police are yet to confirm if any of the rebels were injured.
Security forces have launched a crackdown on the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) in western Meghalaya.
Meghalaya, especially the Garo Hill, the most backward region, is used as a safe haven by various northeast-based militant groups.
The GNLA, one of five Garo rebel groups fighting for a separate 'Garoland' in the western area of Meghalaya, is headed by police officer-turned-rogue Champion R. Sangma.
However, Indian intelligence officials believe Champion has been "arrested" by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) commandos Nov 23 night from Haluaghat in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh.
Over 20 people, including security personnel, have been killed in the area in the last one year by GNLA rebels.
The gunfight came on the day GNLA military wing chief Sohan D. Shira gave the slip to the police. Two Meghalaya government engineers kidnapped three days ago by the rebels also remained untraced Friday.
The exchange of fire took place at Rengchi area of the district, bordering Bangladesh when SWAT commandos came under fire from a group of GNLA rebels hiding there.
"The encounter lasted for an hour and the militants retreated into the jungles after intensive firing from security forces," a police official told IANS on phone from Nongstoin, the district headquarters of West Khasi Hills, about 93 km from Shillong.
Though there were no casualties on the security forces' side, police are yet to confirm if any of the rebels were injured.
Security forces have launched a crackdown on the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) in western Meghalaya.
Meghalaya, especially the Garo Hill, the most backward region, is used as a safe haven by various northeast-based militant groups.
The GNLA, one of five Garo rebel groups fighting for a separate 'Garoland' in the western area of Meghalaya, is headed by police officer-turned-rogue Champion R. Sangma.
However, Indian intelligence officials believe Champion has been "arrested" by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) commandos Nov 23 night from Haluaghat in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh.
Over 20 people, including security personnel, have been killed in the area in the last one year by GNLA rebels.
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