Assam: Two Suspected Vehicle Thieves Killed in Police Encounter in Sonapur
Guwahati: Two suspected vehicle thieves were killed in a police encounter at Markadola under Sonapur Police Station in Assam’s Kamrup Metropolitan district in the early hours of Thursday after they allegedly opened fire on a police team during an operation to intercept a stolen vehicle.
According to police, a naka checkpoint was set up at Markadola after receiving information that a vehicle allegedly stolen from Panbazar could be used to flee the city.
At around 3 am, the vehicle, bearing registration number AS-01-KC-3128, approached the checkpoint at high speed. Police said the driver ignored repeated signals to stop before crashing into a concrete pillar.
Suspects Allegedly Opened Fire
Police said officers moved towards the vehicle after the crash, following which its occupants allegedly opened fire. The police team retaliated, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
Two occupants sustained critical injuries and were rushed to Sonapur District Hospital, where doctors declared them dead. The deceased have been identified as Saidul Alam Laskar and Babul Singh.
A senior police official said the force returned fire in self-defence after the suspects allegedly fired indiscriminately at personnel during the operation.
Third Suspect Escapes
Police said a third occupant managed to flee the scene under the cover of darkness and efforts are underway to trace and apprehend the individual.
According to investigators, both deceased were suspected to be part of a larger vehicle theft network and had criminal cases registered against them. Police are now probing possible links to other vehicle theft cases across the region.
Weapons and Mobile Phones Recovered
Police claimed to have recovered two pistols, mobile phones and other materials believed to be connected with vehicle theft activities from the scene and the possession of the deceased.
The bodies have been sent to Sonapur District Hospital for post-mortem examination and other legal formalities.
Further investigation is underway to identify other members of the suspected gang and determine the full extent of their involvement in vehicle theft cases.
