Authorities said that armed fighters of the outlawed Garo National Liberation Army attacked a woman in the remote south Garo Hills in Meghalaya state late on Tuesday, after locking her husband and children inside a room before turning on her.

"The woman was shot dead by Garo National Liberation Army rebels after she resisted their attempt to molest and rape her", local police chief Lakardor Syiem told AFP news agency.

Responding to a request of Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, the deputy federal Interior Minister, Kiren Rijiju, said that ten companies of paramilitary, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Border Security Force (BSF) have been sent to the province to ensure the safety of people.

"We received a call from the chief minister and we quickly sent ten companies of paramilitary forces, five companies of CRPF and five BSF companies. And we would send more forces if they need," he told Reuters.

The Garo National Liberation Army is one of five tribal rebel groups fighting for a separate "Garoland" to be carved out of Meghalaya.