Photo Courtesy: nenow
Shillong: Meghalaya Police killed four suspected interstate gang members during a shootout near Songsak in the East Garo Hills district. The operation began at 4 am on Sunday, August 30. Police launched the search following intelligence about the group hiding in the area. The suspects fired at officers first, forcing the police to return fire.
Four men died in the exchange. Authorities identified the dead as Alachon Marak of Meghalaya, Kalam Sheikh of Agia, Bhabidul Islam of Krishnai, and Sustam Rabha. Investigators are linking the group to various crimes across the Assam-Meghalaya region. Officials currently probe their potential involvement in the recent murder of businessman Abu Sayed. Sayed was shot outside his business in Dudhnoi on August 23.
One official source noted, "The evidence is expected to assist investigators in establishing the sequence of events and identifying possible links to other criminal cases." Police also claim Sustam Rabha participated in a 2021 robbery at Lela in Dudhnoi. Forensic teams scoured the scene for evidence while the bodies were moved for post-mortem procedures. Detectives continue to review case files to confirm the full extent of the gang's criminal history.
Updated at 30th August 2026 at 9:50pm
Beyond the Dudhnoi murder, investigators are vetting the group for involvement in a recent shooting at Damra Bazaar in Assam's Goalpara district. Detectives are also looking for potential connections to a separate incident reported across the state border in Tapra on August 25.
Reports indicate the encounter occurred during a routine naka checking operation at a police checkpoint rather than a targeted search for the men. Authorities continue to scrutinize the circumstances that sparked the initial gunfire at the site.
Updated at 31st August 2026 at 9:47am
East Garo Hills SP Swapnil Pawar confirmed the operation involved local police and the Anti-Terrorist Force, who established a checkpoint on the Songsak-Mendipathar road based on intelligence that the gang was moving toward Songsak. At roughly 4 am, the team intercepted a Mahindra Bolero with Assam registration plates. The suspects opened fire, damaging a police vehicle, before officers returned rounds that left all four men critically wounded. The men died after being transported to Williamnagar Civil Hospital.
Officers recovered two automatic pistols, live ammunition, and spent casings from the vehicle. Authorities noted that three of the deceased hailed from Assam while one was a resident of North Garo Hills. Investigators also identified that Sustom Rabha faced active criminal charges for robbery and dacoity across four districts spanning two states. Local residents reported sightings of the same vehicle in the area over recent months, leading police to suspect the gang may have been targeting nearby road construction camps.
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