GUWAHATI, Oct 22 � The United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) today received a major setback as six of its hardcore cadres were nabbed in a joint operation by Army personnel belonging to the Red Horns Division and Meghalaya Police in Pedaldoba area in West Garo Hills district.
Army sources said that six pistols, two hand grenades , some ammunition and a Tata Nano car were recovered from the possession of the militants.
Based on an information from own source about movement of these terrorists to in the area, army launched an operation along with Meghalaya Police late last night.
With the aim to apprehend the terrorists before they can execute their plans to carry out extortion, the joint operation team deployed itself in adjacent jungle along the approach route. The contact with the terrorists was established around midnight, but the terrorists who tried to flee, were nabbed in a hand to hand combat. The operation thwarted their attempt to spread terror in the area.
Later on, the terrorists disclosed their plans of carrying out extortion in Goalpara district of Assam. It was the first major successful joint operation by the Army and Meghalaya Police in the area.
Sources said that for some time, the militants belonging to the ULFA(I) and GNLA carried out operations in Kamrup and Goalpara districts of Assam and moved out to the jungles of Meghalaya to avoid arrest by the security forces.
Though Meghalaya has not been declared as disturbed area, as per Armed Forces Special Power Act, Army has a mandate to operate in Meghalaya, in a area within 20 kilometers of the Assam-Meghalaya border. The increased operation by Army and Meghalaya Police in the State has shrinked operating space for various terrorist outfits.
It may be mentioned here that the ULFA(I) and GNLA have been maintaining cordial ties for some time and it is believed that senior ULFA(I) leader Drishti Rajkhowa has been using the hideouts of the GNLA along the Indo-Bangla border.
