Sept. 25: Meghalaya police have denied reports that rebels have killed a young Intelligence Bureau officer, Vikash Kumar Singh, whom they had abducted from the South Garo Hills district.

While PTI quoted sources as saying the Bihar native's body had been found today, the Meghalaya inspector-general of police (operations) denied it.

"We are yet to receive any information. Our operation is on along the Panda reserve forest," G.H.P. Raju said.

Lakador Syiem, district superintendent of police, said: "We are yet to get any leads."

"He was kidnapped yesterday but his killing is yet to be confirmed," a senior Intelligence Bureau officer said in New Delhi late tonight.

Sources said Singh was an assistant central intelligence officer, the starting post for fresh intelligence recruits. He had been posted at Rongara for the past one year.

Singh was abducted along with another person when militants intercepted their vehicle yesterday. The fate of the other hostage is not known.

Garo outfit Achik Songna Anpachakgipa Kotok is suspected to be behind the abduction and alleged killing, which could set off a debate in the Intelligence Bureau on the safety of its field officers.

The incident is a reminder how intelligence personnel are never safe, even during times of "peace".

In 2003, a military intelligence officer was tortured and killed in Dimapur although Naga rebel outfits were in a peace agreement with the government.

Every state in the Northeast has at least a joint director-ranked officer stationed to monitor information flow from the districts.