Sub-Inspector Pradeep Kumar and constable Munna Kumar of Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) came under heavy firing from the militants while they were conducting search at Nobokgre village, 15 km south of Williamnagar, the district headquarters, Meghalaya DGP N Ramachandran said.
Pradeep died on the spot while Munna, who sustained serious bullet injuries, was out of danger, even as both were airlifted by an Air Force helicopter, he said.
Both were part of a back-up team comprising of the Meghalaya Swift Weapons and Tactic (SWAT) teams and the CRPF's CoBRA personnel, the DGP said.
Earlier, acting on a tip-off that GNLA militants were camping in a jungle under Memamang hill located about 23 km from Williamnagar, Meghalaya's SWAT commandos and CRPF's CoBRA personnel stormed the camp late last night.
Ruling out the presence of the GNLA's C-in-C Sohan D Shira in the camps which were busted last night, Ramachandran claimed to have identified the occupants of the camp.
He also ruled out that the camps were run with the aid of Assam's ULFA armed trainers.
The GNLA formed in 2010 has been categorised as a terror organisation by the Centre in January this year for carrying out outlawed activities like killing, rampant extortion and abduction of businessmen and is active in three western Garo Hills districts of Meghalaya and in pockets of West Khasi Hills district.