Kidnapped Meghalaya welder rescued, one abductor killed

Shillong, July 1 (IANS) A welder kidnapped by militants for ransom was Tuesday rescued in Meghalaya following a gunfight in which security forces killed one abductor and arrested two others.

During the gunfight at Rongge village of South Garo Hills district, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commandos killed one abductor and nabbed two others, Inspector General of Police (Operations) G.H.P. Raju told IANS over phone.

Welder Manoranjan was Sunday abducted by A'chik Songna An'pachakgipa Kotok (ASAK) militants for Rs.25 lakh ransom.

The SWAT commandos recovered one INSAS rifle along with magazines, huge cache of ammunition and other incriminating documents from the gunfight site.

Meanwhile, the forces are making efforts to rescue an abducted school teacher, Utpal Dey. He was Monday kidnapped by ASAK militants from Karonggre area in West Garo Hills.

Meghalaya Home Minister Roshan Warjri Monday told journalists the Centre will be rushing additional central paramilitary forces to Garo Hills to aid the ongoing combing operations against the militants following a spurt in kidnappings.