Police Encounter in Bokakhat: Two Suspects Injured During Weapon Recovery

In a recent police operation in Bokakhat, two key suspects involved in a grenade attack were injured during a weapon recovery attempt. The suspects, previously arrested for their roles in the June 24 incident, allegedly opened fire on police during the operation. This encounter follows a series of arrests related to the attack, which injured three police personnel and caused panic in the community. The ongoing investigation has raised concerns about the rise in police encounters in Assam, prompting the Supreme Court to order an independent probe into allegations of fake encounters. The situation continues to develop as authorities pursue further leads.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 30, 2025, 11:54 IST

Incident Overview

Bokakhat, June 30: Late Sunday night, two main suspects involved in the grenade explosion on June 24 at Panbari in Bokakhat were injured during a police operation aimed at recovering weapons in Golaghat district's Saphjuri area.

Injuries and Medical Response

The individuals, identified as Bhavesh Kalita from Tezpur and Sanjiv Baruah from Lakhimpur, had previously been arrested for their suspected roles in the attack. Bhavesh suffered a gunshot wound to his left leg, while Sanjiv was shot in the shoulder. They were initially taken to Shaheed Kamala Miri Sub-Divisional Hospital in Bokakhat for emergency treatment before being transferred to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital for further care.

Details of the Operation

According to police reports, both suspects had admitted to hiding two pistols near the site of the explosion. During the operation on Sunday night, they were escorted to the Saphjuri area under strict security to locate the concealed firearms. However, they allegedly retrieved the pistols and opened fire on the police team, prompting a retaliatory response from law enforcement. Two pistols were subsequently recovered from the scene.

Background of the Grenade Attack

This encounter follows a series of arrests related to the grenade attack that occurred at approximately 8:20 PM on June 24 at the 11th Battalion Assam Police camp in Panbari. The explosion injured three police officers and caused widespread panic among local residents. Eyewitnesses reported that two unidentified individuals on a motorcycle threw the grenade before escaping.

Arrests and Ongoing Investigation

Investigations have led to the arrest of six individuals thus far, including the primary suspect Ankur Das, who was apprehended during a midnight operation in Dergaon on June 28. Other arrested individuals include Rupjyoti Das and Ankur's brothers, Pankaj and Kaku Das. All six are believed to have played various roles in planning the attack.

During a media briefing on June 28, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the arrests and indicated that a broader conspiracy had been uncovered. He noted, “These are not organized militants—one is an ex-ULFA member, while others are associated with minor crimes and drug trafficking. We have recovered all remaining grenades and a pistol.”

Concerns Over Police Encounters

The police investigation is still active, with authorities suggesting that additional arrests may occur soon. This incident has also reignited discussions regarding the increase in police encounters in Assam. In May, the Supreme Court directed the Assam Human Rights Commission (AHRC) to conduct an independent investigation into claims of fake encounters in the state. The Court instructed the AHRC to issue a public notice inviting affected individuals to come forward, ensuring confidentiality and a sensitive approach to their cases. This directive followed a petition alleging 171 fake encounters in Assam between May 2021 and August 2022.