2 'outlaws' killed in 'gunfight' in Kushtia

Two alleged outlaws were killed in a “gunfight” with Rapid Action Battalion in Kushtia Sadar upazila early yesterday.

The dead, Akam Uddin Hia, 25, and Liakat Ali, 30, of Mrittikapara village under the upazila, were top cadres of banned Gono Mukti Fouz, according to Rab.

Akam stood accused in four cases, including two for murder, while Liakat in eight cases, including three for murder, reports our Kushtia correspondent, quoting Joynal Abedin, additional superintendent of police in Kushtia.

Maj Mosaddek Ibne Mujib, commanding officer of Rab-12, said acting on a tip-off, a team of the elite force raided Swastipur area around 3:00am when a secret meeting of the party was going on there.

Sensing their presence, the criminals opened fire on the Rab members, forcing them to retaliate that triggered the “gunfight”, the Rab official said.

At one stage, Akam and Liakat were hit by bullets. The two were taken to Kushtia General Hospital where on-duty doctors declared them dead.

Rab also claimed to have recovered four firearms and 14 bullets from the spot.

According to rights body Ain o Salish Kendra, 146 people were killed in “crossfire” in 2015.