TURA: Dreaded GNLA area commander Philliport D Shira narrowly escaped a police raid on his hideout in North Garo Hills at day break on Friday morning.
The area commander of North Garo Hills was holed up with nineteen other armed men, including his deputy Rangdat when SWAT and CoBRA commandos attacked his hideout at Matronggre village 18 km from Resubelpara town. A GNLA sentry opened fire from his post after he spotted the approaching commandos at approximately 5:30 am.
The militants were taking shelter on a hilltop overlooking the village when the attack was launched by North Garo Hills Police.
“They (militants) opened up with very heavy firing since they were trying to protect their leader who was in their midst,” informed police from Resubelpara.
The militants escaped from the scene after the brief but heavy exchange of fire.
The site of the incident is not far from Rongrong village and security forces had to cross the Damring River to reach the militants’ hideout.
Last month on July 3, North Garo Hills Police had attacked another hideout of Philliport at Bolsal A’ding, near Rongkaminchi, in which two CRPF personnel sustained bullet injuries. While the militants escaped they left behind a large quantity of ammunition including three pistols, two hand grenades and a powerful Claymore land mine.