TURA, March 25 - The West Khasi Hills Police on Thursday recovered a huge cache of explosive materials after an encounter with militants, allegedly belonging to the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), near Ringdigitam village under the Shallang PS in the district.
Thursday�s encounter was a part of the police action to end militancy in the Garo and Khasi Hills under �Operation Hillstorm 3.�
Police sources said an exchange of fire took place between the police and the GNLA on Thursday morning. According to the police, the militants took cover behind civilians in order to escape. �To prevent the police from firing at them, the militants dragged civilians along. The police had to hold back the fire to protect innocent civilians. In the melee, the GNLA cadres escaped, leaving behind the explosives and detonators,� said Raju, IGP of Operations, Garo Hills Police.
The police recovered 45 gelatin sticks, 71 detonators, one roll of 6 mm electric wire, etc., from the place of encounter.
