TURA: A group of suspected ULFA militants, who were moving around the Tikrikilla-Pedaldoba area of West Garo Hills in the dead of night, were intercepted and caught by a joint team of army and state police from Pedaldoba-Rabhagre road while attempting to proceed towards Rongsai area bordering Goalpara district of Assam on Tuesday.
Security forces that were out on patrol following intelligence inputs about possible movement of militants in the area spotted a car moving in the direction of the Pedaldoba-Rongsai road.
When stopped they found six persons inside the car and on being frisked recovered six pistols and two hand grenades besides ammunition for the small arms. The men had in their possession twenty rounds of 7.65mm and 9mm live rounds.
The militants are identified as Suraj Hajong (22), Hiran Rabha (17), Vikash Rabha (20), Mingson Rabha (20), Elam Rabha (60) and Korton Rabha (22). All six hailed from Pedaldoba village, police sources said.
The accused have been arrested under the arms act and have been brought to Tura on Wednesday.
“We believe they were travelling through the area to meet with members of a Garo outfit to sell the arms. The ULFA has been selling arms to militants from the Garo Hills ranging from the GNLA to ASAK,” said the district SP in/charge B A Sangma.
He added that one of the Garo outfits that is on the lookout to purchase arms is the A’chik Matgrik Elite Force (AMEF) led by Jack Marak which broke away from ASAK outfit sometime ago.