Four armed men killed in gunfight with police in East Garo Hills
Quick Look
- Four armed men died in a gunfight with a joint team of Meghalaya Police and Anti-Terrorism Squad in East Garo Hills district early Sunday after their vehicle failed to stop at a checkpoint and occupants opened fire, prompting security forces to retaliate.
- Their identities remain unconfirmed, and police are verifying criminal records and examining possible links to a recent kidnapping and killing of a businessman near the inter-state border in Damra.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The incident occurred at a police checkpoint set up on the road from Songsak towards Kagal in East Garo Hills district based on intelligence inputs. The joint team of Meghalaya Police and Anti-Terrorism Squad signaled a suspected vehicle to stop, but its occupants opened fire, leading to a counterfire in which four men were killed.
Four armed men died during a gunfight with police in East Garo Hills district. The exchange of fire occurred early Sunday morning after a vehicle failed to stop. Security forces retaliated after occupants of the suspected vehicle opened fire. Their identities are currently unconfirmed and criminal records are being verified. Investigations are ongoing regarding their potential involvement in a recent kidnapping and killing.
Shillong: Four armed men were killed in an exchange of fire with a joint team of the Meghalaya Police and Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in East Garo Hills district in the early hours of Sunday, police said.
The gunfight took place around 4 am when the joint team had set up a checkpoint on the road from Songsak towards Kagal following intelligence inputs, East Garo Hills SP Pawar S Vasantrao said.
During checking, the team signalled a suspected vehicle to stop, but its occupants allegedly opened fire at the police personnel, prompting the security forces to retaliate, he said.
"In the ensuing counterfire, the four men who were in the vehicle sustained serious injuries. They were immediately shifted to the hospital, where they were declared brought dead," he added.
The SP said the identities of the four men are yet to be established, and police are verifying their criminal antecedents.
"Their possible involvement in the recent kidnapping and killing of a businessman near the inter-state border in Damra is also being examined," he said.
"Due verification of their identity will also be done properly, and all the forensic teams are still on the job," he said.
The SP said the investigation and other legal procedures were underway.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Police will release the identities of the four men after verification
Likely · Within days
Forensic teams will complete their analysis and submit findings
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What are the confirmed identities of the four men?
- What is their criminal history?
- Is there definitive evidence linking them to the kidnapping and killing of the businessman in Damra?
- What type of vehicle were they in and where did it originate?