One militant was killed, four wounded and two others, including a woman, were arrested Monday during a gunbattle with security forces in insurgency-ravaged East Garo Hills in Meghalaya.A police spokesperson said an AK rifle, an SBBL, two pistols, improvised explosive device (IED) materials, ammunition and incriminating documents were seized from the site of the gunfight, while GNLA area commander Ajan Momin alias Jimmy managed to escape.The gun battle broke out at the GNLA's hideout in Norek area under Songsak PS area, 30 km from Williamnagar, the district headquarters of East Garo Hills, police officer Davies N.R. Marak told IANS."A senior GNLA (Garo National Liberation Army) militant identified as Cheman Momin died on the spot and four others (militants) were wounded after the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) commandos retaliated to indiscriminate firing from the militants," he said.
Two people - Bisno Sangma and Jimmy's paramour Pratima Marak - were arrested from the hideout."A combing operation is on to nab the fleeing militants," Marak said.The GNLA, one of the five Garo tribal rebel groups, is fighting for a separate Garoland to be carved out of Meghalaya.GNLA rebels, who number around 100, unleashed terror in five impoverished districts of Garo Hills in the last five years and killed over 100 people, including security personnel.