On Muharram day, a cattle trader named Salim Ali was on his way to buy medicines for his wife when a five-member gang of cattle smugglers stopped and killed him, as per various reports. The incident happened at Chaulkhowa in upper Assam’s Dibrugarh district that is known as a hub for cattle smuggling.

As per a report by The Times of India, the gang was armed with machetes and daggers and attacked Salim, 50. Mintu Ali, a gang member and reportedly a notorious cattle smuggler, allegedly beheaded Salim. The motive of the killing is yet unknown.

Salim was rushed to Assam Medical College and Hospital but was declared brought dead, as per a report in North East Now.

Two days later, the police arrested the key accused, Mintu, as per a Navbharat Times report. The police have also arrested three other people namely Fazluddin Ahmed and Bokul, for sheltering Mintu, as well as Mintu’s wife for misleading the police. Four accused are still absconding.