Jawans of the 41st Battalion of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) narrowly escaped death late Sunday night while chasing cattle smugglers near the India–Nepal border in Naxalbari. The smugglers allegedly attempted to kill the jawans by deliberately ramming their truck into an SSB vehicle during a high-speed chase.
According to SSB sources, the incident occurred around 12:30 am after the force received a tip-off that a truck carrying smuggled cattle was moving from Naxalbari towards Siliguri via the Panitanki C-Company area. When the SSB’s Quick Response Team signalled the truck to stop near the Asian Highway-02 toll plaza, the driver ignored the order, broke through the toll gate, and attempted to flee.
A chase followed, during which the smugglers allegedly turned violent. Investigators claim that the ringleader, Biman Ghosh, had instructed his associates to ram the SSB vehicle and kill the jawans if they were intercepted. Acting on this plan, the truck deliberately crashed into the SSB vehicle, causing extensive damage and leaving two SSB constables seriously injured.
Also Read: Cattle smuggler killed in police encounter in Deeg
“With swift assistance from the Naxalbari police, the truck was finally intercepted. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 19 buffaloes. Three people—the driver Nazrul Islam, the cleaner Mohammad Manojam, and the alleged ringleader Ghosh—were arrested,” said an SSB official.
During interrogation, police said Ghosh confessed that the cattle were being smuggled from Naxalbari to Assam and that he had ordered the attack on the SSB personnel to evade arrest.
The rescued buffaloes, the truck used for smuggling, and the accused have been handed over to the Naxalbari police station. Cases have been registered under multiple sections, including cattle smuggling, attempted murder, and obstructing government officials from performing their duty. The injured jawans are currently undergoing medical treatment.
Also Read: Elephant calf found dead in Naxalbari
Follow us
