Authorities reported that a notorious criminal, suspected of involvement in various extortion cases in Assam’s Cachar district, met his demise in a police encounter in Hailakandi district during the early hours of Monday.
The individual, identified as Afzal Hussain Barbhuiya, was apprehended along with an associate near Kalibari road in Hailakandi as they attempted to evade capture, according to officials.
Allegedly, Barbhuiya launched an assault on the police, seizing a service revolver in the process. Despite repeated warnings, he purportedly attempted to employ the firearm against law enforcement, prompting officers to resort to gunfire.
Barbhuiya sustained a gunshot wound to the throat and was subdued, while his companion was apprehended without incident. Despite efforts to save him, Barbhuiya succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at Hailakandi Civil Hospital.
The Superintendent of Police (SP) for Cachar, accompanied by a police contingent, arrived at the scene to oversee proceedings, emphasizing that investigations are ongoing.
An official from the Cachar Police revealed a history of complaints against Barbhuiya, citing him as one of the district’s most sought-after criminals, implicated in numerous extortion and dacoity cases.
Recent incidents, including the armed robbery of two students and their parents near the Assam-Meghalaya border, resulted in the arrest of three suspects, with three others evading capture. Authorities suspect Barbhuiya’s involvement in this incident as well.
Police sources familiar with the matter disclosed Barbhuiya’s pattern of seeking refuge in Hailakandi district following criminal activities in Cachar. Following extensive surveillance, the apprehension of Barbhuiya’s associate is anticipated to yield further insights into his operations.
