At least six policemen, two from Kushtia and four from Pabna, were injured in the 'shootouts' between the police and the outlaws, police said.

Saleh Uddin and Shariful Islam, cadres of Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP), were killed in Santhia of Pabna district while Abdul Malek, a top leader of New Biplobi Communist Party (NBCP) was killed at Kumarkhali in Kushtia.

Besides, Ansar Uddin Manik, another cadre of PBCP (Red Flag), was slaughtered by his rivals at village Dhalaura in Santhia upazila.

The police seized three firearms from the spots of Santhia and Kumarkhali shootouts.

PABNA SHOOTOUT

Santhia police said they arrested Saleh and Shariful from Bilchalandi village in the upazila on Tuesday evening. During interrogation, they confessed to their involvement in the underground party -- PBCP-Red Flag.

Following their confessional statement, the police yesterday took the two to Bichalandi village to seize their firearms hidden there. When they reached the village at about 4:00am, the PBCP cadres opened fire on the policemen.

As the police made a counter attack on the criminals, a gunfight ensued between the law-enforcers and the outlaws. Saleh and Shariful tried to escape during the shootout and died when they were caught in crossfire, the police said.

Sub-Inspector Asif Uddin and three constables of Santhia Police Station were also injured in the half-and-hour gunfight, the police claimed.

The police retrieved two shutter-guns and five bullets from the spot.

Saleh was accused in 12 criminal cases while Shariful in four. They were charged with murder and other crimes in Santhia and Sujanagar, the police said.

KUSHTIA CROSSFIRE

Kumarkhali police said they raided village Lakshmipur in the upazila at about 3:00am yesterday when some 30 NBCP cadres were holding a secret meeting there.

As the police team surrounded the NBCP men, they opened fire on the law-enforcers who retaliated with gunshots resulting in a two-hour shootout. Abdul Malek, 46, a top leader of the extremist outfit, died on the spot, the police said.

At least 100 shots were exchanged during the gunfight. The police said the other outlaws managed to escape but at least 10 of them sustained injuries.

Officer-in-Charge of Kumarkhali Police Station Nasir Uddin and Sub-Inspector Manir Uddin were also wounded in the incident.

The police retrieved a rifle and four bullets from the spot.

According to the police, Malek was a close aide of NBCP leader Akdil Hossain and accused in 20 cases including 15 for murder. Akdil is also accused in 35 cases including 15 for murder and sentenced to life term in two cases.

The police believe Akdil was presiding over the secret meeting. They filed a case against Akdil and his 30 accomplices for attacking the policemen.

PBCP MAN SLAUGHTERED
Santhia police recovered the slaughtered body of Ansar Uddin Manik, a PBCP-Red Flag cadre, from village Dhalaura in the upazila early yesterday. Manik was kidnapped by his rivals in the outlawed party and later killed, the police said.

The body was sent to Pabna Sadar Hospital for autopsy.