Amid allegations of extrajudicial killings on the death of three alleged Hmar militants in Cachar district, Assam in an ambush, the Assam Police has released the details of the operation.
At about 4.30 pm on Wednesday, a police team rushed at Krishnapur road under Kachudharam Police Station, following a tip-off about the movement of suspected militants, stated a release.
Three persons namely Lallungawi Hmar, 21, Lalbikung Hmar, 33, and Joshua 35, loaded with sophisticated arms and ammunition, were apprehended near Ganganagar part-VI while on way towards Bhuban Hills in an autorickshaw, it stated.
One AK 47 rifle, one single barrel rifle and one pistol were seized along with live ammunition during the search, it stated.
A thorough interrogation revealed that their counterparts are still taking shelter around Bhuban Hills with a huge cache of arms to carry out some subversive activities in the Assam Manipur border areas, it mentioned.
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Subsequently, a special operation was launched led by ASP HQ along with Police Station staff and AG commandos in the general areas of Bhuban Hills side for apprehension of the suspected militants being led by the apprehended culprits, it stated.
When the police team approached the difficult hilly terrain in the said hills, the police team encountered a sudden attack with gunfire by the suspected militants who were taking shelter in the backside of the steep hills, it mentioned.
It further stated that the police team immediately took their positions and retaliated, and there was a heavy exchange of fire from both sides. The apprehended militants wearing bulletproof jackets and helmets sustained grievous injuries in their persons and immediately shifted to Sonai PHC, Sonai for treatment, it stated. They were referred to the SMCH, Silchar wherein the attending doctor declared death, it added.
Meanwhile, about six-seven suspected militants hiding in the difficult hilly terrain managed to flee away from the spot towards the dense forest taking the cover of darkness and uneven terrain, it further stated.
The place of occurrence of the firing incident was thoroughly searched during which one more AK assault rifle along with live ammunition and a number of empty cases were duly seized as per procedure, it mentioned.
The entire area has been cordoned by the security personnel and search operation is being carried out in search of fleeing militants, it stated.
The place of occurrence has been inspected and security forces have been deployed in the entire area, it mentioned.Three police personnel also got severely injured during the exchange of fire and admitted in the SMCH, Silchar. Further investigation is on, it added.
