Militant Linked to Drug Trafficking Dies in Police Encounter in Assam

Police Operation Leads to Fatal Encounter

Silchar, May 14: A suspected militant, believed to be involved in drug trafficking, was killed following injuries sustained during a police operation in the Jirighat area of Cachar district, Assam.

The individual has been identified as Sailun Daungel, also known as Lulun, who hailed from Manipur.

According to Cachar SSP Sanjib Saikia, the operation was initiated in response to a shooting incident on May 5, where an Assam Police havildar was injured by gunfire from unidentified assailants targeting a police vehicle.

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

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

Saikia reported that the suspect indicated the location of the weapon used in the earlier shooting and offered to assist in its recovery.

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 the authorities.

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

Preliminary reports from Manipur Police indicated that Lulum had connections to militant activities and was reportedly affiliated with a banned organization in the neighboring state.

Additionally, he was suspected of involvement in drug trafficking, according to the SSP.

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

Security measures have been heightened in the Jirighat area, and search operations are actively pursuing the remaining suspects.