Tura, Aug. 6: In an attempt to empower Meghalaya police personnel to deal with terror attacks in insurgency-hit Garo hills, a monthlong training on bomb disposal, conducted by the National Security Guard (NSG), concluded here today.

A total of 40 security personnel comprising Meghalaya police and Border Security Force from across Garo hills were given the training.

In February and March, Meghalaya police had detected nearly 60 improvised explosive devices (IED) from East Garo Hills, including five from a school compound. In January, five persons lost their lives in an IED attack at a liquor shop in Williamnagar.

In most parts of Garo hills, there is no security personnel trained in bomb disposal and, therefore, the training was initiated. The personnel were trained on standard operational procedures (SOPs) for bomb disposal and IEDs.

Under this course, instructors from NSG, along with experts in Meghalaya police, gave detailed information about different types of IEDs and the way they are planted by insurgents. Besides, they were taught the technique of defusing bombs and disposing them. Participants also got to know about the nature of these lethal weapons.

There are about six active militant outfits in the state, of which the most dreaded is the Garo National Liberation Army.

Deputy inspector-general (western range) S.S. Kynjing said, "In a bomb attack, militants always have the advantage. But it is the responsibility of security forces to try their level best. In such a scenario, it is important that security forces know the drill and verify IEDs."

Talking about yesterday's attack in Kokrajhar in Assam, Kynjing said, "In such situation, security forces can retaliate and neutralise militants if they have the required expertise."

He said Kashmir and the Northeast are the most difficult areas to operate in and it becomes incumbent on the police forces to take up the challenge so that human lives can be saved.

West Garo Hills superintendent of police Mukesh Singh said the training was about capacity building, so that police can handle a situation and manage it.

Earlier this year, the GNLA had put up posts on Facebook, showing their preparation of attacks involving IEDs.

There have been several instances, when the rebels in Meghalaya had warned the police of terror attacks and bomb blasts in different parts of Garo hills.

In the past three years, at least 30 people, including security forces, were killed in IED blasts in different parts of the Garo hills.