<p>Acting on a tip-off about the presence of armed NDFB and Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) rebels at Guresimram village of East Garo Hills district, a joint team of army and police raided the hideout.<br /><br />The rebels opened fire on the security forces, and in the ensuing gunbattle two NDFB rebels were killed, Deputy Inspector General (Western Range) G.H.P.Raju told IANS. <br /><br />Though the identity of the killed rebels was yet to be established, intelligence officials said one of the slain rebels could be one of the high-ranking leader of the anti-talks faction of the NDFB. <br /><br />"Some of our sources have given a particular name, but we cannot disclose it so as we are waiting for Assam Police to confirm the real identity of the deceased rebels," a top intelligence official told IANS. <br /><br />A powerful improvised explosive device, an AK rifle, three Chinese-made grenades and magazine, two cell phones, two wireless sets and some incriminating documents were recovered from the gunbattle site. <br /><br />Meanwhile, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Rajiv Mehta said the slain rebels were involved in killing three police personnel at Thapa Darengchi area in East Garo Hills district. <br /><br />The NDFB, fighting for an independent homeland for the Bodo tribe, had agreed to a ceasefire in 2005, but it is blamed for continuing attacks on the security forces.<br />The outfit was also allegedly involved in the Oct 30, 2008, serial explosions in Assam that killed around 100 people and wounded 500 more. <br /><br />On the other hand, the Garo National Liberation Army, one of the five Garo rebel groups, is also fighting for a 'sovereign Garoland' in the western area of Meghalaya. It is headed by police officer-turned-rogue Champion R. Sangma.</p>
<p>Acting on a tip-off about the presence of armed NDFB and Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) rebels at Guresimram village of East Garo Hills district, a joint team of army and police raided the hideout.<br /><br />The rebels opened fire on the security forces, and in the ensuing gunbattle two NDFB rebels were killed, Deputy Inspector General (Western Range) G.H.P.Raju told IANS. <br /><br />Though the identity of the killed rebels was yet to be established, intelligence officials said one of the slain rebels could be one of the high-ranking leader of the anti-talks faction of the NDFB. <br /><br />"Some of our sources have given a particular name, but we cannot disclose it so as we are waiting for Assam Police to confirm the real identity of the deceased rebels," a top intelligence official told IANS. <br /><br />A powerful improvised explosive device, an AK rifle, three Chinese-made grenades and magazine, two cell phones, two wireless sets and some incriminating documents were recovered from the gunbattle site. <br /><br />Meanwhile, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Rajiv Mehta said the slain rebels were involved in killing three police personnel at Thapa Darengchi area in East Garo Hills district. <br /><br />The NDFB, fighting for an independent homeland for the Bodo tribe, had agreed to a ceasefire in 2005, but it is blamed for continuing attacks on the security forces.<br />The outfit was also allegedly involved in the Oct 30, 2008, serial explosions in Assam that killed around 100 people and wounded 500 more. <br /><br />On the other hand, the Garo National Liberation Army, one of the five Garo rebel groups, is also fighting for a 'sovereign Garoland' in the western area of Meghalaya. It is headed by police officer-turned-rogue Champion R. Sangma.</p>