Hardcore criminal killed in police encounter in Assam

A hardcore criminal wanted in various cases, including for links with jihadi elements and cattle smuggling, was killed in an alleged encounter between his gang members and police near the inter-state border with West Bengal on Wednesday, an Assam Police officer said.

Two police personnel were also injured in the incident, he added.
 
            Dhubri superintendent of police Abhijit Gaurav said a police team from the district had launched an operation past midnight in the inter-state border areas following a tip off of movement of the criminal, Adam Ali, and his associates.
 
            “We had information that Adam Ali and his partners will be visiting the area for an arms deal. Accordingly, our team set off on the operation,” he said.
 
            The SP said Ali was nabbed in the operation but the other gang members tried to escape.
 
            The police team chased the other criminals, who opened fire on the personnel at Rupsi area and in the ensuing gun battle, Ali and two policemen sustained bullet injuries, Gaurav said.
 
            “All the three were rushed to the hospital where Ali was declared dead. The two police personnel are undergoing treatment but are out of danger,” he added.
 
            The other criminals managed to escape in the darkness, he said.
 
            The police officer said Ali was wanted in several cases, including for association with jihadi elements, cattle smuggling, money laundering and possession of illegal arms.
 
With this, at least 55 people have been killed and 140 injured in police action while the accused allegedly tried to flee from custody or attacked the personnel since the BJP government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, assumed office in May 2021.
 
The high number of shoot-outs whipped up a political furore with the opposition alleging that the Assam Police has turned “trigger happy” and is indulging in “open killings” under the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led regime.
 
The Assam government on June 20 filed an affidavit before the Gauhati High Court and claimed that “no extra judicial killing” has taken place in the state.