TURA, April 11: An unidentified militant was killed in a firefight with Meghalaya police in an early morning encounter on Monday. The incident occurred under Dadenggre police station limits.
Police sources said they received information on Sunday evening of a group of armed miscreants with plans to kidnap businessmen who frequently travelled from the plain belt areas of Chibinang and Phulbari areas to buy areca nut.
Accordingly police field units were directed to remain on high alert with vehicle checking being conducted throughout the night.
“Further, a mobile patrolling team started conducting area domination and surprise mobile patrolling from Tura to Phulbari via Selsella and back to Tura via Dadenggre – Rongram,” said West Garo Hills Superintendent of Police, Vivekanand Singh.
While the patrolling team was proceeding from Chibinang towards Dadenggre, at around 1:15 am, a group of 3-5 armed miscreants ambushed the team at Magalpara village near the newly built RCC bridge.
The sudden attack led to some bullets hitting one of the Maruti Gypsy vehicles of the patrolling team with the left headlight being damaged while the left side tyre got punctured.
Following the ambush, the policemen retaliated in self defence and exchanged fire with the attackers.
“The exchange of fire lasted for about 5 minutes. When the firing subsided, the point of occurrence was secured and information was relayed to the district magistrate and other higher officials with immediate effect,” added the SP who himself suffered minor injuries as he was in the vehicle that was attacked.
On a thorough search of the area after the arrival of the magistrate, one unidentified male dead body with bullet wounds was found lying.
Police also recovered 1 AK rifle and magazine, 34 rounds of live 7.62 ammunition, 45 rounds of 7.62 spent cartridges, 22 rounds of 9mm spent cartridges, 3 electronic detonators, 4 gelatine sticks, 2 metre long safety fuse among other recoveries. These were seized in the presence of witnesses.
The dead body was later removed to Tura Civil Hospital for post-mortem after completion of all legal formalities. Inquest and other formalities as per NHRC guidelines were also completed.
A case under the Arms Act has been registered at Dadenggre police station.
