Suspected GNLA ultras kill BSF jawans

Shillong, November 8: Suspected GNLA militants killed two BSF jawans on the Indo-Bangla border in South West Khasi hills district of Meghalaya before snatching away their weapons on Friday morning. The two jawans of the 73rd battalion of BSF were on duty at an observation post, about one and half km from the Kathakona outpost near Maheshkhola in south West Khasi Hills  district.

“A group of militants attacked them. One jawan died on the spot, while another succumbed while being taken to a hospital in Guwahati.” BSF official informed. The militants took away the INSAS rifles of the jawans.

The slain jawans are Sachit Biswa and Papu Kumar Yadav. The attack came two days after five Meghalaya policemen were killed in an ambush in  neighbouring South Garo hills district.

In another incident on Friday morning, the  BSF foiled an infiltration bid and recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition from the Bangladesh border in South Garo hills of Meghalaya. Acting on a specific input, troops of 132 Battalion laid a “tactical ambush” at Faqirkona, the  Angratoli reserve forest.

“At the stroke of midnight, BSF team observed some suspicious movement from the side of the Bangladesh. BSF official informed that some intruders crossed the IB and were infiltrating to the Indian side. As they entered into India, the BSF party immediately challenged and asked  the infiltrators to surrender. When they refused the BSF ambush party chased and tried to apprehend them.  However they
could succeed in sneaking back to Bangladesh taking cover of pitched darkness, undulating ground and thick forest growth,” BSF official said.

During a search in the area, the BSF party found two bags containing  one 9mm carbine machine gun, two 7.65 mm foreign made pistols, two 9mm carbine magazine, four  pistol magazine, a wireless set with signal booster, six 9 mm carbine ammunition, seven 7.65  mm pistol, mobile handsets, sport shoes, ten radio sets and other items.

“According to intelligence input, this consignment was meant for the militant outfit operating inside  Meghalaya. The seized items have been handed over to concerned department.

ANVC(B) STATEMENT: Meanwhile the ANVC (B) alleged that the GNLA was behind the attack on BSF personnel in South West Khasi hills district. In a statement issued on Friday, the outfit has said, “Last night, one group of GNLA and ULFA  numbering around ten entered West Khasi hills area via Moheskola in a sumo in order to cross over  to Bangladesh.”

The statement said this group killed the two BSF jawans taking away two weapons. It also informed that the GNLA is being backed by foreign elements besides the ULFA .”

The ANVC (B) statement has alleged that GNLA is indulging in such attacks to malign them alleging the GNLA is randomly killing to distract and to   disrupt law and order in Meghalaya.

The ANVC (B) statement said that the ambush on policemen was jointly carried by GNLA and ULFA. Specially trained ULFA team was sent to assist GNLA in this mission and is now moving in different direction and there might be more attacks on men in uniform and civilians. It said this can be be seen as an attempt to distract the ongoing operation.”

According to the outfit, the attackers have moved out of the area, some have crossed to Bangladesh and others are desperate to get a safer place within Meghalaya.

Asserting that the over ground GNLA members are assisting the GNLA cadres in their movement, the ANVC (B) statement said, “Over ground GNLAs are assisting them to move out of the area. Their movement is also being helped by some insider who is giving specific information on patrolling, police checking and operational details of the security forces.”  – By Our Reporter