Gunmen kill cattle smugglers in police custody in Assam

Two alleged cattle smugglers, who were arrested by the Assam Police from Meerut in UP last week, were killed in an “ambush” in Assam’s Kokrajhar district early on Tuesday by gunmen suspected to be connected to militants and the smuggling network.

The two smugglers and four police personnel were injured in the ambush and after about 10 to 12 minutes of exchange of fire, police rushed the injured to the Saraibeel Primary Health Centre where the two accused — Akbar Banjara and Salman Banjara — were declared brought dead.

Kokrajhar SP Thube Prateek Vijay Kumar told news agency, “The police had taken the duo for identification of the smuggling routes when the ambush took place. We are suspecting that the attackers are involved with militant organizations and have links with the cattle smugglers as well. The investigation is on and we will get to know the details.”

The deceased were residents of Uttar Pradesh. The SP said they were taken into custody by the Assam Police for their alleged involvement in cattle smuggling. Non-bailable warrant of arrest against them were issued eight months ago.

“After the post-mortem, we will hand over their bodies to their families,” the SP said, adding that the condition of the four injured police personnel, who sustained grievous injuries, is stable.
One AK-47 rifle, two magazines, 35 rounds of live ammunition and 28 rounds of empty bullet shells were recovered from the site.