Mizoram home minister R Lalzirliana told newsmen that there was a gunbattle between the RAF team of Mizoram Police and militants for 30 minutes. One of the hostages, Premlal Dhiman, was shot at by a rebel before he left the place, he said. He, however, added that no policeman was injured in the shootout. Police found arms and ammunition from the spot.
A police unit led by additional SP (Mizoram-Assam) border, along with a medical team, was sent to rescue the hostages on the border village of Buhchang on Thursday morning, Lalzirliana said. He added that another hostage, Bajrang Lalbhurgi, is in good health. Dhiman is also out of danger now.
"The RAF team planned an ambush at a small bridge near the hut after getting news that the militants were hiding near Banglabasha village. The team, while approaching another hut, came under fire from the militants leading to retaliatory firing," he said.
Though the militants finally escaped, one of them fired at Dhiman, the minister added. He said Dhiman was being brought to Mizoram on a stretcher for treatment. ABCIL project manager Premlal Dhiman (48) and commercial manager Bajrang Lalbhurgi (44) were abducted by Bru militants from a place near Meidum village in Kolasib district on June 6
The militants contacted BM Baid, the general manager of ABCIL, Silchar, in Cachar district on June 8 and demanded Rs 5 crore ransom for freeing the two officials. "Baid met me and asked for help regarding payment of ransom. I told him that the government was working a way out and would neither negotiate nor pay ransom to the militants," said Lalzirliana.