Four Armed Men Killed in Gunfight With Meghalaya Police, ATS in East Garo Hills

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 early Sunday, police said.

The encounter took place around 4 am, when the joint team had set up a checkpoint on the Songsak-Kagal road following intelligence inputs, East Garo Hills Superintendent of Police Pawar S Vasantrao said.

During vehicle checks, the team signalled a suspected vehicle to stop. Its occupants allegedly opened fire at the police personnel, prompting the security forces to retaliate, the SP 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,” Vasantrao said.

The identities of the four men have not yet been established, and police are verifying their backgrounds and possible criminal records.

Authorities are also investigating whether the men were linked to the recent kidnapping and killing of a businessman near the inter-state border in Damra, the SP said.

Police said forensic teams are examining evidence from the scene and the process of establishing the identities of the deceased is underway.

The investigation and other legal procedures are continuing, officials said.