Two Suspected Vehicle Thieves Killed in Sonapur Police Encounter
Police Encounter in Sonapur
The incident took place at Marakdola after police intercepted a vehicle allegedly stolen from Guwahati's Fancy Bazar area
Sonapur, Sept 3: In the early hours of Thursday, two individuals suspected of vehicle theft were shot dead during a confrontation with Assam Police in Sonapur.
The incident unfolded at Marakdola, where police intercepted a vehicle believed to have been stolen from the Fancy Bazar area in Guwahati. A third suspect managed to escape into a nearby forest.
The deceased have been identified as Saidul Alom Laskar from Cachar and Babu Singh from Imphal, Manipur.
Authorities recovered two firearms, one of which is suspected to be homemade, along with two live rounds, mobile devices, and tools believed to be used for vehicle theft from the intercepted vehicle.
Investigators suspect that the trio was part of a larger inter-state vehicle theft ring and were allegedly transporting the stolen vehicle towards Meghalaya.
Police recovered two pistols, including one suspected to be locally made
According to Anurag Sarma, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, the Officer-in-Charge of Panbazar police station received a tip-off via the emergency helpline regarding the vehicle theft and alerted other police units.
“Subsequently, the OC of Dispur was informed that the stolen vehicle was en route to Sonapur via Digaru. The OC of Panbazar pursued the vehicle, while ADCPs, the Co-District Superintendent of Police, and officers from both Dispur and Sonapur police stations set up a checkpoint near the Marakdola forest camp, anticipating the vehicle's passage,” Sarma explained.
At approximately 3 am, police spotted the vehicle speeding through the checkpoint.
“When we attempted to stop it, the suspects evaded the checkpoint and crashed into a concrete pillar. Upon approaching the vehicle, they opened fire indiscriminately. In self-defense, we returned fire, resulting in injuries to two individuals,” Sarma stated.
The injured suspects were transported to a nearby hospital, where they were pronounced dead. A third suspect managed to escape into the darkness and surrounding forest, according to the officer.
Authorities noted that Laskar was a seasoned thief with over ten criminal cases registered against him in Assam.
“He is implicated in more than 30 cases of vehicle theft and dacoity across Assam and neighboring states. The second individual, Babu Singh, also has pending cases, and we are currently investigating further details. The investigation is still in its early stages as we aim to track down the entire gang, which may take some time,” Sarma added.
Ongoing investigations are focused on locating the fleeing suspect and identifying other members of the alleged inter-state vehicle theft network.