A suspected United Kuki Liberation Army (UKLA) militant was killed in an encounter with Assam Police at Bomapunjee in Assam’s Cachar district on Wednesday night, police said.
Details of the Encounter
The deceased, identified as Sailong Doungel alias Lulung, was a resident of Manipur who had recently moved to the Bomapunjee area along the Assam-Manipur border. Cachar Superintendent of Police Sanjib Kumar Saikia stated that the operation was launched to apprehend two prime suspects involved in the May 5 attack on a police team during an anti-drug operation at Diglang Punji under Joypur police station. In that incident, Assam Police havildar Sarif Hussain Kazi sustained multiple bullet injuries after suspected drug smugglers allegedly opened fire on the police team.
Sequence of Events
Acting on a tip-off, a police team raided Doungel's house on Wednesday night and recovered the firearm used in the earlier attack. However, taking advantage of the darkness, Doungel picked up the weapon and opened fire on the police team. One policeman wearing a bulletproof jacket was hit, Saikia told reporters on Thursday. Police retaliated, critically injuring Doungel. He was rushed to Silchar Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
Militant's Background
The SP said Doungel was associated with the UKLA, a militant outfit active mainly in the hill districts of Manipur, particularly Churachandpur. We are in touch with our counterparts in Manipur to gather more information about the militant and his activities, Saikia added. Police said efforts are on to arrest another accused linked to the attack on havildar Kazi, who is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Guwahati.
Broader Implications
According to police, members of the UKLA were also involved in drug smuggling activities besides insurgent operations. The encounter underscores the ongoing security challenges in the region, particularly along the Assam-Manipur border.
