Guwahati, 03 September (HS): Two suspected vehicle thieves were killed in an encounter with police in the Markadala area of Sonapur on the outskirts of Guwahati early Thursday, police said.

According to police, the Panbazar and Sonapur Police team launched an operation to apprehend a group of vehicle thieves. The suspects allegedly opened fire at the police after being intercepted, following which the police retaliated.

The deceased have been identified as Saiful Islam Laskar, a resident of Cachar district and Babul Singh, a resident of Imphal, Manipur. Police said Laskar was allegedly the mastermind of the vehicle theft gang.

The incident followed an attempt to steal a Tata Ace vehicle (AS-01KC-3128) from near Panbazar in Guwahati. The Panbazar Police chased the suspects as they fled via Amsing Jorabat towards Digaru-Sonapur.

During the operation in Sonapur, the suspects allegedly fired at the police, prompting retaliatory fire in which both were killed.

Police recovered two pistols and several mobile phones from the encounter site. One of their associates reportedly managed to escape under the cover of darkness.

The bodies have been kept at Sonapur Hospital. Police have launched a search for the absconding suspect and registered an FIR in connection with the incident. Further investigation is underway.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash