SHILLONG, August 30: Four armed men were killed in an exchange of fire with police at Songsak in Meghalaya’s East Garo Hills district early on Sunday, with police claiming that the group was allegedly planning to abduct officials of the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for ransom.
Acting on credible information about the movement of armed men towards Songsak, a joint team of the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS), East Garo Hills district police and Songsak police station personnel set up a naka at Songsak Reserve along the Dagal-Songsak road in the early hours of August 30.
At around 4 am, the team intercepted a Bolero bearing registration number AS-01-FD-2889. Police said the occupants opened fire when signalled to stop, prompting the personnel to retaliate in self-defence.
A brief exchange of fire followed, during which the police vehicle also sustained bullet damage.
After the firing stopped, police found four seriously injured men inside the vehicle. They were taken first to Songsak Primary Health Centre and later referred to Williamnagar Civil Hospital, where all four were declared brought dead.
The deceased were identified as Alason Marak of Mendima in North Garo Hills, Sustom Rabha of Goalpara in Assam, Kalam Ali of Goalpara and Bobidul Islam, also from Goalpara.
According to police, Marak was allegedly a key accused in the recent Damra firing incident, in which a businessperson was killed.
Rabha was also allegedly involved in several criminal cases registered in Assam and Meghalaya, including cases at Dudhnoi, Mendipathar and Dadenggre police stations involving robbery, abduction, kidnapping and offences under the Arms Act.
Police said Kalam Ali was linked to a Krishnai police station case involving allegations of abduction, extortion, assault and wrongful restraint.
Two factory-made pistols were recovered from the deceased, along with live and spent ammunition. Police said one of the firearms bears the marking “Beretta”, while markings on the other were illegible.
The circumstances surrounding the exchange of fire, the weapons and ammunition recovered and other evidence are now being examined as part of the investigation.
East Garo Hills Superintendent of Police Pawar Swapnil Vasantrao, appealed to the public not to rely on rumours or unverified information regarding the incident.
The Meghalaya Police said it remains committed to safeguarding people and protecting critical infrastructure and personnel operating in the district.
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