TURA: Five militants of the Garo outfit ASAK, who were travelling to Assam to purchase sophisticated weapons from an arms dealer, were intercepted by North Garo Hills police leading to their arrest and recovery of Rs. 1.40 lakh on Thursday.
Having received credible intelligence inputs about the movement of ASAK militants through the Mendipathar region, North Garo Hills police together with SWAT units laid a trap late Wednesday night.
Close to two hours past midnight the police teams spotted a Maruti car bearing an Assam registration number (AS-01-U-3595) moving towards Mendipathar.
The vehicle was stopped at Soksan tri-junction, 3 kms from Mendipather, at 1:40 am and five occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody. A search of the vehicle lead to the recovery of Rs. 1,40,150/-.
During interrogation they confessed that they were heading towards Assam border to meet a gun runner to purchase two 9mm pistols and 500 rounds of ammunition for AK rifles. The militants were meant to pay the gun dealer an amount of four lakh rupees of which the remaining amount was in possession of two other ASAK militants who were waiting at Bajengdoba. The two have since fled following news about the arrest of their comrades.
The arrested militants have been identified as Doma Ch Momin alias John (26) hailing from Dalu Dapgre village but currently residing in Dakopgre locality of Tura, Rakesh Ch Marak alias Laket (27) of Upper Wakagre in Damalgre, Salbong M Sangma (30) of Dakopgre locality of Tura, Thailand R Marak alias Thaiol (34) of Rongsu Agal in Siju but currently residing in Nikwatgre locality of Tura and Onimesh D Sangma of Waidagre in Chokpot.
Interestingly, one of the arrested militants known as Salbong M Sangma was staying in the residence of ANVC Chairman Dilash Marak in Tura, police sources informed.
