TURA, Dec 4 - Meghalaya police made a huge breakthrough after an encounter between GNLA militants and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) force led to the killing of one of the top cadres of the outfit, Kennedy T Sangma alias Hebel. The encounter took place in Durama range in Khawka Duragre village at about 7.30 am yesterday.
Hebel, who managed to escape from Tura District Jail in 2013 before rejoining the outfit, is believed to be responsible for the cold blooded killing of five police personnel in Kapasipara along with other members of the outfit, near Shibbari in South Garo Hills the same year.
Confirming the news, IGP Operations, GHP Raju said, �In counter-insurgency operations carried out by SWAT yesterday, there was a heavy exchange of fire in the jungles of Durama near Khakwa Duragre village at a makeshift GNLA camp in which senior GNLA self-styled Sergeant, Kennedy T Sangma was killed.�
The police later recovered two AK rifles and one Draganov sniper rifle along with some ammunition and four mobiles from the spot.
Sources said there were at least five heavily armed GNLA cadres who opened fire at the police party with the exchange lasting for about 10 minutes.
The group was responsible for ambushing Police UTP escort party near Kapasipara in South Garo Hills in 2013 and the ambush of police party at Panda�, said Raju.
