Cachar (Assam) : Three militants belonging to the Hmar People’s Convention Democratic (HPDC) were killed during an ambush in the Bhuban Hills area of Assam’s Cachar district early Wednesday morning.

According to sources, the initial arrest took place at Ganganagar in the Dholai circle of Cachar district. The militants were apprehended along with a significant cache of weapons, including AK series rifles, which were found concealed in the auto-rickshaw they were traveling in.

Following the arrest, a team of Cachar police, accompanied by the three arrested militants, proceeded to Bhuban Hills, approximately 25 km away, for further investigation. It was during this subsequent operation that an ambush by suspected militants occurred, resulting in the tragic deaths of the three arrested militants. Additionally, three policemen sustained injuries during the ambush and were promptly rushed to Silchar Medical College Hospital for treatment.

The identities of the slain militants have not been disclosed by the police, who have refrained from making an official statement pending further investigation into the incident.

Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, the militants had hired an auto-rickshaw from Krishnapur, planning to travel towards the Amraghat-Matinagar road. Their journey was cut short when a police team from Kachudaram police station intercepted them and conducted a search operation. Despite attempting to evade arrest, two militants were apprehended with the assistance of local residents who cooperated with the police.

During the subsequent search of the auto-rickshaw, a significant arsenal of weapons was discovered, which included pistols, AK series rifles, daggers, and other tactical gear. The auto-rickshaw driver was also detained in connection with the incident.