Five killed in militant attacks in India

Five policemen have been killed after militants armed with assault rifles ambushed a group of officers in northeastern India, officials say.

Around 30 militants, carrying AK-47 rifles and other weapons, attacked the officers near the village of Bangajakona in Meghalaya state as they were traveling to a nearby town to collect a prisoner for transfer, District Magistrate Chinmay Gotmare said.

None of the dozens of rebel groups active in the area have claimed responsibility for the attack in the western Garo hills.

Gotmare said the area is a stronghold for the Garo National Liberation Army, which is one of the region’s deadliest militant groups, committing killings and kidnappings for ransom as it demands a separate Garo homeland.

Police also suspect the group was behind an attack on Monday that killed seven members of the Rabha tribe in Assam state.