WILLIAMNAGAR : Four armed men were killed in an exchange of fire with police at Songsak in East Garo Hills early Sunday morning, after a joint team moved to intercept a vehicle following intelligence inputs about the movement of armed men towards the area.
The operation was carried out by the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) of Meghalaya Police along with East Garo Hills Police and Songsak Police Station. Police said the information indicated that the men were allegedly moving towards Songsak with an intention to abduct officials of the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for ransom.
A checking point was set up at Songsak Reserve along the Dagal–Songsak road during the early hours of August 30. At around 4 am, a Bolero bearing registration number AS-01-FD-2889 was spotted approaching Songsak and signalled to stop.
According to police, the occupants opened fire after noticing the police personnel. The team returned fire in self-defence, resulting in a brief exchange. The police vehicle also sustained bullet damage.
After the firing stopped, four seriously injured men were found inside the vehicle. They were taken to Songsak PHC and later referred to Williamnagar Civil Hospital, where all four were declared brought dead by the attending medical officer.
Police identified the deceased as Alachon Marak of Mendima, North Garo Hills; Sustam Rabha of Goalpara, Assam; Kalam Ali of Goalpara; and Bobidul Islam, also of Goalpara.
Police said Alachon Marak was reportedly a key accused in the recent Damra firing incident, in which a businessman was killed.
Sustam Rabha was said to have criminal cases registered across Assam and Meghalaya, particularly at Dudhnoi, Mendipathar and Dadenggre police stations. The cases include allegations relating to robbery, abduction and kidnapping, along with offences under the Arms Act.
Kalam Ali was also connected with a Krishnai Police Station case involving allegations of abduction, extortion, assault and wrongful restraint.
Two locally made pistols were recovered from the deceased, along with live and used rounds of ammunition. Police said one pistol carried the marking “Beretta”, while the other had no legible marking.
Further investigation is underway into the exchange of fire, the recovered weapons and ammunition, and other evidence collected from the scene.
Also, police have urged the public to avoid spreading rumours or relying on unverified information.
