Terror has struck the insurgency-infested Garo hills of Meghalaya once again. At least nine people, including a woman, were injured in an powerful IED blast at a crowded market in Williamnagar town on Saturday.

The area is some 250 km away from state capital Shillong. According to police sources, around 12:45 am on Saturday, a very powerful IED went off in a busy local market in Williamnagar injuring nine persons.

All the injured were given first aid at Williamnagar civil hospital and shifted to Tura civil hospital for further treatment, while the entire market and its adjacent areas was evacuated and cordoned off.

“We have launched a massive operation with special weapon and tactics (Swat) commandos. We cannot rule out the handiwork of the banned militants groups” IGP (operations) G H P Raju told Deccan Herald over phone.