Operation Hillstorm-3 to continue for 3 months: Police

Meghalaya police have sought additional 12 companies of central armed police forces apart from the newly inducted special forces (SF-10) in its operation against militants in the Garo Hills region.
Besides, it has been decided that the combat operation code-named 'Hillstorm 3' will be extended for the next three months, police spokesman GHP Raju said today.
"We have decided to send additional force to Garo Hills to strengthen the ongoing Operation Hillstorm-3. Additional Commandos are inducted into Garo Hills to comb the jungles of Durama and neutralise GNLA and other militant groups who have been on the run since past two weeks," he said.

He said the police have written to the Government for requisition of 12 more companies of Central Armed Police Forces and six units of CoBRA to supplement the local police for sustained counter-insurgency operations in Garo Hills during the coming months.
Special Force-10 Commandos, who are under intense commando training in jungle warfare, would be inducted for special operations against the militants in Garo Hills, Raju said.
Operation Hillstorm-3 was launched by Meghalaya Police on 24th February in the Garo Hills and West Khasi Hills districts of Meghalaya.

As many as four GNLA camps were busted and 70 IEDs, 1,475 detonators and 500 g gelatin explosive materials recovered so far during this operation, Raju said.

Additional security forces have been dispatched to these areas to seal off all the escape routes and to intensify combing operations in all the villages and interior areas of these jungles.
After the launch of Operation Hillstorm-3, many GNLA cadres are approaching NGOs and church leaders to facilitate their surrender.