\ Shillong, Oct 28 (PTI) Nine traders hailing from\Mancachar area of Assam were abducted by armed militants in\South Garo Hills district of Meghalaya early today, police\said.\ The traders who were going to a weekly market were taken\at gun point from a forested area near Bilkona today, the\police said.\ Superintendent of police Anand Mishra said the abductors\were suspected to be from the Achik Songa An\\’pachakgipa Kotok\(ASAK) group.\ A search operation has been launched to rescue the\victims, he said. PTI JOP MM\AMS\