Militant Linked to Drug Trafficking Dies in Police Encounter in Assam

Militant's Death During Police Operation

Silchar, May 14: A suspected militant, believed to be involved in drug trafficking, was fatally injured during a police operation late at night in the Jirighat region of Cachar district, Assam.

The individual has been identified as Sailun Daungel, also known as Lulum, hailing from Manipur.

According to Cachar SSP Sanjib Saikia, the operation was initiated following a shooting incident on May 5, where an Assam Police havildar was shot while responding to gunfire directed at a vehicle.

During the investigation, authorities identified two suspects and conducted raids in the Jirighat area on Wednesday night.

Acting on credible information, police located Lulum at his home in the Boma Punji area and took him into custody.

Saikia reported that Lulum claimed he could assist in locating the weapon used in the previous shooting incident, which he said was hidden nearby.

However, while guiding the police team to the site in darkness, Lulum allegedly attacked the officers and attempted to fire again.

In the ensuing confrontation, a bullet struck a police officer, penetrating his bulletproof vest, prompting the police to return fire in self-defense, as stated by law enforcement.

Lulum was injured in the exchange and was transported to Silchar Medical College and Hospital under police guard, where he later died from his injuries.

Authorities indicated that preliminary information from Manipur Police suggested Lulum had connections to militant groups and was reportedly affiliated with a banned organization in the neighboring state.

He was also suspected of involvement in drug trafficking activities, according to the SSP.

Investigations are ongoing to confirm his affiliations and to locate other individuals connected to this case.

Increased security measures have been implemented in the Jirighat area, and search operations are actively pursuing the remaining suspects.