Shillong: An Army Major and two militants were killed in an encounter with suspected United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) militants in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district, police said today (Feb 25, 2004).

Major Samrat Maiti of Naga Regiment who was leading the contingent in a counter-insurgency operation on Feb 23 night, was killed at Babegiri area under Tikrikilla police outpost in the district.

The militants opened fire at the raiding Army team forcing the security personnel to retaliate, killing two suspected ULFA extremists on the spot. The ultras were yet to be identified, the sources said.

The ULFA militants were hiding in different parts of Garo Hills in Meghalaya after the Royal Bhutan Army's military action in the jungles of the neighbouring country.

With the killing of the Major, the Army probably suffered its first casualty in the State after the Bhutan offensive.

Security has been beefed up in the area, the sources added.