Williamnagar, August 30 : Four armed men were killed following an exchange of fire with police at Songsak in East Garo Hills district in the early hours of Sunday, police said.
According to East Garo Hills Police, the operation was launched after receiving information about the movement of armed persons towards Songsak who were allegedly planning to abduct officials of the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for ransom.
A joint team comprising officers and personnel of the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS), East Garo Hills District Police and Songsak Police Station was deployed to intercept the suspects.
Police set up a naka/checking point 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 seen approaching Songsak and was signalled to stop for checking.
Police alleged that the occupants of the vehicle opened fire after noticing the personnel deployed at the checkpoint. The police team retaliated in self-defence, resulting in a brief exchange of fire. A police vehicle also sustained bullet damage during the incident.
After the firing stopped, police found four seriously injured persons inside the Bolero. They were initially taken to Songsak PHC and later referred to Williamnagar Civil Hospital, where all four were declared brought dead by the attending medical officer.
The deceased have been identified as Allason Marak of Mendima in North Garo Hills; Sustom Rabha of Goalpara, Assam; Kalam Ali of Goalpara, Assam; and Bobidul Islam, also of Goalpara.
Police said Allason Marak was reportedly a key accused in the recent Damra firing incident in which a businessman was killed.
Sustom Rabha was stated to have criminal cases registered against him in Assam and Meghalaya, particularly at Dudhnnoi, Mendipathar and Dadenggre police stations, involving alleged robbery, abduction, kidnapping and Arms Act offences.
Police said Kalam Ali was also connected with a Krishnai Police Station case involving allegations of abduction, extortion, assault and wrongful restraint.
Two factory-made pistols, along with live and used ammunition, were recovered and seized from the vehicle, police said. One of the pistols reportedly bore the marking “Beretta”, while the markings on the other were illegible.
Police said further investigation and legal proceedings are underway to examine the circumstances surrounding the exchange of fire, the recovered firearms and ammunition, and other evidence.
East Garo Hills Police also appealed to the public not to spread rumours or rely on unverified information, while reiterating its commitment to maintaining public safety and protecting critical infrastructure and personnel in the district.
