From Our Correspondent
TURA: Suspected GNLA militants attempted to take out a truck full of Meghalaya policemen on the outskirts of militant-infested Chokpot region of South Garo Hills by triggering a powerful IED blast which narrowly missed them on Thursday afternoon.
A large group of armed policemen returning to Tura after conduct of anti-insurgency operations were targeted by the GNLA militants who detonated the explosive hidden on the side of a road culvert at Daji Tesakgre village, just 3 kms from Chokpot between 3:30 and 4 pm. The militants, suspected to be led by ‘area commander’ Baichung Momin, laid the trap for the police truck but it was a miracle for the men as the explosion took place just before the truck crossed the culvert. The police personnel were on their way to their battalion headquarters in Goeragre, 12 kms from Tura.
As soon as the blast occurred there was exchange of fire as the militants who were hiding up in the nearby hills tried to attack the police personnel who also responded with heavy firing forcing the ultras to flee.
No casualties were reported from either side.
The explosion resulted in shock for a woman who was coming in a bus from the opposite direction. She collapsed and was administered medical treatment at Chokpot health centre.
The daring move by the ultras to target police so close to Chokpot has sent alarming bells ringing and intensive cordon and search operations have been launched to nab those who were involved in the attack.
Police have recovered detonation wires from the place where the bomb was exploded but also say that a remote device was used to trigger the explosion.
The attack comes just a day after another group of GNLA militants opened fire on a passenger Tata Sumo going from Baghmara to Tura near Sibbari area causing superficial injuries to one passenger. The militants were reportedly lying in wait to commit an atrocity on a civilian passing through that area.