Five militants killed in Meghalaya

Five militants were killed in two separate incidents in the insurgency-hit Garo Hills region in Meghalaya Saturday, police said.

Four militants were killed when a gun battle broke out among members of Garo National Liberation Army, United Liberation Front of Asom and A'chik Matgrik Elite Force in East Garo Hills district's Bolmeram forest.

Inspector General of Police G.H.P. Raju said four militants were killed in the gun battle.

"We were tipped off by locals that firing has taken place in Bolmeram forest. However, villagers did not come forward to help police in tracing the bodies," Raju told IANS.

"A police team has rushed to the spot to retrieve the bodies," Raju added.

In a separate incident Saturday, angry villagers lynched a militant of A'chik National Army when a group of five rebels started serving extortion notes in Chokpot area in South Garo Hills.

Raju said the dead militant was identified as Rapseng Ch Marak.