Silchar: A suspected United Kuki Liberation Army (UKLA) militant was killed in an encounter with Assam Police at Bomapunjee in Assam’s Cachar district on Wednesday night, police said.The deceased, Sailong Doungel alias Lulung, is a resident of Manipur who had recently shifted to the Bomapunjee area along the Assam-Manipur border.Cachar SP Sanjib Kumar Saikia said the operation was launched to nab two prime accused involved in the May 5 attack on a police team during an anti-drug operation at Diglang Punji under Joypur police station. In the incident, Assam Police havildar Sarif Hussain Kazi sustained multiple bullet injuries after suspected drug smugglers allegedly opened fire on the police team.“Acting on a tip-off, a police team raided Doungel’s house on Wednesday night and recovered the firearm used. However, taking advantage of the darkness, Sailong picked up the weapon and opened fire on the police team. One policeman wearing a bulletproof jacket was hit,” Saikia told reporters on Thursday.Police retaliated and critically injured Doungel. He was rushed to Silchar Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.The SP said Doungel was associated with the UKLA, a militant outfit active mainly in the hill districts of Manipur, particularly Churachandpur.“We are in touch with our counterparts in Manipur to gather more information about the militant and his activities,” Saikia said.Police said efforts are on to arrest another accused linked to the attack on havildar Kazi, who is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Guwahati.According to police, members of the UKLA were also involved in drug smuggling activities besides insurgent operations.
