Police have launched a massive combing operation to apprehend a gang of dacoits involved in a burglary at the house of a former CRPF jawan at Katakhal under Panchgram police station in Assam’s Hailakandi district.

One person has been arrested and four have been picked up for interrogation.

“A search operation is on to nab the culprits,” Hailakandi superintendent of police Pabindra Kumar Nath said on Saturday. Security had been beefed up in the area following demand for police patrol by residents of Katakhal and adjoining Panchgram, he added.

A gang of about 12 armed dacoits barged into the residence of former CRPF personnel Nirod Chandra Das and decamped with Rs 1.5 lakh in cash besides jewellery, the police said.

When Das’s family tried to resist, the gang opened fire and Nandakumar, 38, one of Das’s sons, suffered bullet injuries. He was admitted to Silchar Medical College and Hospital. Panchgram police station officer-in-charge Chittaranjan Nath is investigating the incident. Sniffer dogs are being used to trace the culprits.

ATM theft: The police arrested another person in connection with the looting of ATMs in Hailakandi district on Friday. He has been identified as Rukan Uddin, 38, of Vichingcha village.

Deputy superintendent of police Foyez Ahmed said 12 persons, including a woman, have been arrested so far.