Garo rebels, security forces exchange fire in Meghalaya

A fierce gun-battle broke out between Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) rebels and security forces Sunday in Meghalaya's South Garo Hills, police said.

Two GNLA rebels were reportedly injured in the about an-hour-long exchange of fire at Agreng village, sparked off when security forces retaliated after coming under fire from hiding militants.

"The gunfight lasted for an hour and the rebels retreated back into the jungle after intensive firing from security forces," district police chief Davies R. Marak told IANS.

Marak said that at least two rebels are believed to have been injured in the attack. "The search operation is still on to trace those injured rebels," he said.

Three AK rifles magazines loaded with several rounds of live ammunition, and other several rounds of live ammunition of .22, .32 and 9 mm, one grenade and incriminating documents besides four AK rifles replicas were recovered from the site.

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.

Sangma is presently lodged in Shillong jail after he was arrested from India-Bangladesh border last year.

The GNLA, which has over 100 rebels, including a few women cadres, operating in East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills, has been declared a terrorist outfit.

Over 40 people, including security personnel, have been killed while more than 10 people were abducted for ransom by GNLA rebels in the last three years.