TURA:
Two kidnappers were shot dead in Tikrikilla following an encounter with West Garo Hills police early November 9.
The criminal gang hailing from outside the state tried to jeopardise peace in Meghalaya by kidnapping two persons and keeping them hidden in a jungle area of Dibru Hill Reserve Forest under Tikrikilla police station.
A police hunt led to the site and the gang opened fire on seeing the police.
In the encounter two unidentified kidnappers were shot dead in the retaliatory fire.
Police recovered one AK 47 rifle, one 9 mm pistol, 32 live rounds & 33 empty rounds from the spot.
The operation team led by SP(T) and consisting of Addl SP(T), SDPO(D), SDPO(R), CI(S), OC Phulbari, and other officers and subordinate ranks spotted the gang as well as the victims at a place in Dibru Hills Forest Reserve near Bamandanga/Gaptuli.
However, the armed miscreants also saw the Police team. They immediately fired at the Police team which also retaliated in self-defence. The exchange of fire continued for approximately 2-3 minutes.
Once the exchange of fire stopped, the place of occurrence was cordoned and thoroughly searched during which two unidentified dead bodies were recovered.
Police also rescued both the abducted victims following the encounter.