Shillong:
Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militants burnt down 13 coal-laden trucks in Meghalaya's East Garo Hills district on Saturday, officials said.
About 10 heavily armed militants came and deflated the tyres before torching the trucks parked at a parking lot at Wageassi area under National Highway-62, police said.
Additional District Magistrate W D Sangma rushed to the spot to ascertain the damage caused, district police chief J F K Marak had also rushed to the scene, East Garo Hills district Deputy Commissioner Vijay Mantri told PTI.
He said security forces have tightened vigil in and around the area and a combing operation have begun to nab the militants involved.
The arson followed yesterday's firing by security forces when two highway robbers were shot dead on NH-62 in the district while they were looting coal laden trucks.
According to the district administrator, today's incident is a clear indication of the involvement of the GNLA militants as eyewitnesses said the men were carrying AK-47 rifles.
Declared as a terror organisation by the Centre in January this year, the GNLA is involved in killing of civilians, security forces, kidnapping and extortion in all three Garo Hills district in Meghalaya.