Shillong: The State Government is contemplating use of helicopters to provide aerial support to security forces fighting the GNLA rebels in inaccessible terrain and thick jungles in the Garo Hills region, an official said on Sunday.
“In a recent meeting, the central government has allowed us to hire helicopters for aerial support to security forces on the ground to counter the GNLA rebels, but we are yet to take a decision on it,” SK Jain, intelligence chief of Meghalaya Police, said.
“The aerial support is not meant for aerial attacks, but it’s aimed at providing logistical support in terms of dropping men, weapons and ration to ground troops in inaccessible terrain,” he said.
“If the government decides to go for aerial support, we would first take the community people into confidence to thwart any panic and confusion and to ensure that nobody interprets it as aerial attack,” Jain added.
The Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), the BSF and Meghalaya’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commandos have launched a crackdown against the GNLA rebels. (IANS)