Four Armed Gang Members Killed in Police Encounter Near Assam-Meghalaya Border

An intense armed confrontation in Assam's Goalpara district near the Meghalaya border resulted in the deaths of four members of an armed gang during the early hours of Sunday, according to police sources. The operation was initiated based on intelligence that the gang was planning to abduct a local businessman.

Senior Superintendent of Police Navaneet Mahanta from Goalpara and his counterpart Abhilash Barua from South Salmara-Mankachar jointly led the operation. Police sources indicated that the kidnappers were allegedly from neighboring Meghalaya.

Sources revealed that the armed group had been operating in Goalpara and surrounding areas for several weeks, with law enforcement maintaining close surveillance on their movements.

When police acted on specific intelligence and confronted the gang, a firefight ensued that lasted approximately one hour. Two gang members were killed immediately during the initial exchange, while two others sustained critical injuries and later succumbed at Dhupdhara Model Hospital.

The deceased were identified as Mukunda Rabha, Subur Ali, Zahidul Islam, and Chengbat Marak. Authorities suspect they were part of a criminal network involved in extortion, kidnappings, and illegal arms trafficking operations that had been active across Goalpara and neighboring districts for several months.