3 days ago
Four Armed Men Killed in Meghalaya East Garo Hills Encounter
Police in Meghalaya stopped a vehicle early Sunday morning during a security check.
Police said the four people inside the vehicle fired first.
The security team then fired back.
All four men were injured and later died in a hospital.
Police said two pistols and ammunition were recovered.
One report said the men were suspected members of an armed group planning an abduction for ransom.
Police also linked some of them to earlier criminal cases and a businessman’s killing.
However, other reports said their identities and backgrounds were still being verified.
Authorities are investigating what happened and whether the men were connected to earlier crimes.
Four men were killed in a gunfight with a joint Meghalaya Police and Anti-Terrorism Squad team around 4 a.m. Sunday.
The encounter occurred during checkpoint checking on the road from Songsak toward Kagal in East Garo Hills.
Police alleged that occupants of the stopped vehicle opened fire first, prompting security personnel to retaliate.
Police said two pistols and live and used ammunition were recovered, while the men were declared dead at a hospital.
Reports differ over the men’s identities and alleged links to abduction, extortion, robbery and a businessman’s killing.
- Who
- A joint team of the Meghalaya Police, Anti-Terrorism Squad, East Garo Hills District Police and Songsak Police Station, and four men in a vehicle.
- What
- Four men were killed in an exchange of fire during a checkpoint operation.
- Where
- On the road from Songsak toward Kagal in East Garo Hills, Meghalaya; reports also refer to the Songsak area.
- When
- Around 4 a.m. on Sunday.
- Why
- Police said the men opened fire after being signalled to stop. Police also alleged that they were travelling to abduct National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited officials for ransom, while investigating possible links to earlier crimes.
Police Allegations
Investigative Caution
How the shooting began
Police Allegations
Police said the vehicle’s occupants opened fire after officers signalled them to stop, leading to retaliatory fire.
Investigative Caution
Authorities were still reviewing the circumstances surrounding the opening of fire and gathering further details.
Men’s alleged objective
Police Allegations
Police alleged that the four were travelling toward Songsak to abduct National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited officials for ransom.
Investigative Caution
The allegation was presented by police, while the men’s identities, backgrounds and possible criminal connections were still being verified in other reports.
Possible links to earlier crimes
Police Allegations
Police linked the men to reported incidents involving abduction, robbery, extortion and the killing of a businessperson near the inter-state border, including an incident reported at Damra or Tapra.
Investigative Caution
The reports differed on the related location and stressed that these connections had not been fully established; one report specifically described the claims as unconfirmed.
Key facts
- Fatalities
- Four men were killed after being injured in the gunfight.
- Security operation
- The checkpoint involved Meghalaya Police, the Anti-Terrorism Squad, East Garo Hills District Police and Songsak Police Station personnel.
- Time
- The encounter occurred at approximately 4 a.m. on Sunday.
- Weapons recovered
- Police said two pistols, along with live and used rounds of ammunition, were recovered.
- Police account
- Police alleged that the vehicle’s occupants opened fire first when signalled to stop.
- Reported identities
- One report named the men as Allason Marak, Sustom Rabha, Kalam Ali and Bobidul Islam; two other reports said their identities had not yet been formally established.
- Investigation
- Authorities are examining the men’s backgrounds and possible links to abduction, robbery, extortion and a businessman’s killing near the inter-state border.
Quotes
Pawar S Vasantrao
East Garo Hills Superintendent of Police
“In the ensuing counterfire, the four men who were in the vehicle sustained serious injuries. They were immediately shifted to the hospital, where they were declared brought dead.”
telegraphindia.com
“Their possible involvement in the recent kidnapping and killing of a businessman near the inter-state border in Damra is also being examined.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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