Three smugglers, involved in various kinds of illegal trade including drugs and cattle smuggle have been apprehended by the police in Assam’s Nalbari district in a “game-changing” operation. 

“The kingpin Abu Bakkar Siddiqui who’s a wanted criminal on charge of cattle smuggling, drug trade and other crimes is among the nabbed,” informed Assam Police DG – Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta. 

The three smugglers were arrested after a “thana-level” operation was launched by the Nalbari Police Station and Ghagrapar Police Station on Friday. 

Assam DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta has termed the operation a “game-changer”. 

“Today’s ambush at Nalbari, planned and executed by the Nalbari and Ghagrapar thanas is a significant development, a Game Changer. Why I consider it so, because I always encouraged OCs and Thanas to generate their own intel, own network without any intervention from Senior brass,” said Assam DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta.  

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“They generated their own intel, planned their own operation and executed it. It was against a gang of cattle thieves, drug dealers and other criminal elements,” added DGP Mahanta. 

The three smugglers were arrested after a fierce encounter that broke out between the police team and the gang of smugglers. 

Although the police were able to nab three smugglers, hunt is on to nab another three, who managed to flee from the site. 

“When this gang was ambushed, they shot at the Police team while fleeing. Police retaliated. 3 from the gang received bullet injuries and apprehended. Search for other 3 is still on,” said DGP Mahanta. 

The police also seized an SUV, in which the smugglers were travelling, a pistol along with ammunition.