Arms Recovered from Bhuban Pahar, Hmar Militants Killed in Crossfire: SP Cachar

In a significant operation on Monday, the Cachar Police, based on credible intelligence, apprehended three suspected trained militants near the Gangangar Part-VI area of Cachar district. The arrest occurred around 4:30 PM when a police team was dispatched to Krishnapur Road under Kachudharam Police Station in the East Dholai area of Cachar. The three were arrested from an autorickshaw and were heavily armed. Following their arrest, Cachar Police launched an operation to unearth their involvement and got into an armed fight between the militants and the police.

Based on the statement released by the Cachar Police, the suspects have been identified as Lallungawi Hmar (21), Lalbiakng Hmar (33), and Joshua (35). The trio, reportedly from the Hmar community, were found carrying sophisticated arms and ammunition in an autorickshaw. The cache included an AK-47 rifle, one pistol, and live ammunition, all of which were seized by the authorities. Among the three militants, two were from the Bhubankhal area of Cachar while the third, Joshua was from the Tipaimukh area of Churachandpur district in Manipur. SP Cachar in a press conference on Wednesday revealed that Joshua was the mastermind of this group and their commander.

During interrogation, the suspects revealed that their accomplices were hiding in the Bhuban Pahar (Hills) region of the Assam-Manipur border, allegedly preparing for subversive activities. Acting on this information, a special operation was launched, involving senior police officers and personnel, along with commando battalions. The security forces faced challenges due to the difficult hilly terrain and heavy retaliation from militants equipped with bulletproof jackets and helmets.

The statement read, “There was heavy exchange of fire from both the sides. The apprehended militants wearing bulletproof jackets and helmets sustained grievous injuries in their persons and immediately shifted to Sonai PHC, Sonai for treatment. Later on, they were referred to the SMCH, Silchar wherein the attending doctor declared death”. However, approximately 6 to 7 militants managed to escape into the dense forest cover under the protection of nightfall.

SP Cachar further said, “From the bordering areas of Cachar the militants have entered Assam and were seeking shelter. After we were successful in arresting the three militants, we found more about the group and their cadre who were hiding in the hilly areas of Bhuban intending to conduct subversive activities in the bordering area. We conducted a special operation to find out the militants who were hiding but all of a sudden the militants launched firing on us. 6 to 7 suspected armed militants fired on the police team and in tactial retaliation the police team also had to launch fire. In the exchange of fire, the three militants that were apprehended were shot. Three police personnel from the team were also injured in the firing”.

The SP also revealed that the apprehended militants were from a Hmar militant organisation and were trained cadres.

Further search operations in the encounter area led to the recovery of another AK assault rifle, additional live ammunition, and numerous empty cases. The entire region has been cordoned off, and a thorough search is ongoing to locate the fleeing militants. Security forces have bolstered their presence in the area, and the situation remains under sharp watch. The Superintendent of Police have also assured that the police team is on strict vigil to foil any such militant attempts.