TURA, Jan 12 � The killing of four ANVC (B) militants and the recovery of a huge cache of arms, ammunition and bomb making equipment have been termed as the biggest achievement of the police in the Garo Hills over the past six months.
The incident happened in Darenagal, near Chunmati, Dobasipara within the limits of the town here last night.
The operation was conducted on Saturday evening after a low intensity crude bomb was exploded by the militants near the Hawakhana petrol pump at 5.40 pm. Two parked vehicles were damaged in the blast. �
West Garo Hills SP Mukesh Kr Singh said, �It is the biggest crackdown in the last six months. We have managed to gun down four hardcore militants and bust their hideout. We believe that it was used by ANVC-B. Our investigation and search operations are still on�.
The identities of the killed ultras are still not known. Incriminating documents of ANVC-B and UALA were recovered from the spot. �So we are assuming that they were cadres of the ANVC-B�, said Singh.�According to Singh there seems to be a nexus between the ANVC-B and the United A�chik Liberation Army (UALA).
The gun battle at Darengagal, about 4 kms from Tura Police Station lasted for at least 45 minutes.�
�The militants started to fire on our team. The Police then fired back in retaliation. The fierce fighting started at about 8.15 pm and lasted till 9 pm yesterday�, said the SP. Police said that about 20 cadres were taking shelter at the hideout when the operation was launched.
The Police was again at the hideout this morning to investigate. During the process 15 people were picked up on suspicion. �We will ascertain their identities and then take action accordingly�, said the SP.�The hideout has also been dismantled, he added.�
The Police recovered six pistols, one DBBL riffle, twenty live ammunition, ten 12 bore cartridge, plenty of empty cases, 200 detonators, 130 detonators with fuse, twelve fused wires, two gelatin sticks, nine crude IED each weighing 10 kgs, ten bows and arrows, incriminating documents, one Chinese grenade and a huge quantity of bomb making equipments.
