Meghalaya Police Guns Down Former HNLC Militant Chesterfield Thangkhiew In Fierce Encounter

According to the reports, the deceased militant has been identified as Chesterfield Thangkhiew aged around 54 years.

Chesterfield was ex general secretary of the banned outfit HNLC who had earlier laid down guns in 2018 before Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong.

Reports suggest, the dceased militant's residence was earlier raided in the wee hours in connection with IED blasts across the state recently.

Upon entering the house, he wielded a knife and attacked one of the constables, after which he was shot down in retaliation.

Meghalaya Police confirmed that Thangkhiew after being shot was rushed to the Civil Hospital, but was declared dead upon arrival.

In the meantime, Meghalaya Police has taken under custody two of his accomplices for further interrogation. According to the action team, they recovered a sophisticated firearm, digital documents archived in a laptop and encrypted mobile phones from his residence.

It may be mentioned that, the HNLC had claimed responsibility for the IED blasts on Tuesday in a crowded market in Shillong. Two local persons were injured in the explosion.

According to police, Thangkhiew is suspected to the mastermind behind the IED attacks across the state since his surrender.

Earlier in the month of July, a similar Improvised Explosive Device was detonated near the police barrack in Khliehriat where a police personnel sustained injuries and public properties were damaged.

After the IED attack, Meghalaya Police arrested three militants who were suspected to be connected with the attacks. After interrogation, two of the suspects named Thangkhiew for his alleged involvement in the attacks.