Militants armed with assault rifles kill 5 police officers in remote northeastern India

GAUHATI, India – Officials say a group of 30 militants armed with assault rifles have killed five police officers in northeastern India.

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

None of the dozens of rebel groups active in the area has 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.