5 killed in 'shootouts' in one day

Five people, including three alleged robbers, were killed in “shootouts” with law enforcers in Dhamrai, Brahmanbaria, and Rajbari yesterday.

In Dhamrai on the outskirts of the capital, three suspected robbers were killed in what the Rapid Action Battalion claimed to be a gunfight.

The deceased aged between 30 and 40 were yet to be identified.

Col Anowar Zaman, company commander Rab-2, said a gang of seven robbers on three motorcycles were preparing to rob Tk 60 lakh of an NGO in Kelea area. The money was about to be deposited in a local bank, he said.

Following a tip-off, a team of Rab-2 rushed to the area. The alleged robbers first tried to flee but started firing at Rab members when being chased.

The Rab team retaliated with gunfire, said Col Anowar, adding that later three were found lying on the spot with bullet injuries.

Doctors at Dhamrai Upazila Health Complex declared the three dead on arrival.

Three pistols and some bomb like objects were recovered from the spot, he said.

Rab said they believe the deceased were members of a gang called Rashid Bahini. 

In Brahmanbaria, a man was killed in a “shootout” near Akhaura Titas Railway Bridge early yesterday, hours after he was turned over to police in connection with mugging, said Officer-in-Charge Mosarraf Hossain Tarafder of Akhaura Police Station.

The OC said Khokon was captured by locals when he was trying to rob Tk 18 lakh from a representative of a firm near Janata Bank at Lal Bazar.

Police then launched a raid near Titas Railway Bridge taking Khokon with them to recover arms and capture his cohorts, he said, adding that Khokon's accomplices opened fire on police realising their presence.

Police also retaliated.

Khokon was hit at one point and he died on the way to hospital, Mosarraf added.

The OC claimed that three policemen were injured in “gunfight” and a pistol, two bullets and some sharp weapons were recovered from the spot.

An alleged member of an outlaw group was killed in a “shootout” between police and his armed cohorts in Joukura Ferry Terminal area of Rajbari Sadar, said Rajbari Superintendent of Police Asma Siddika Mili.

Three policemen were slightly injured in the incident.

The deceased was identified as Saidur Rahman, 32, she said at a press briefing.

Police recovered two guns (one foreign made), 55 bullets, and a knife from the spot.

Saidur had seven cases filed against him, including two for murder, she added.

At least 144 people were killed in such “crossfires” or “shootouts” last year, according to rights body Ain o Salish Kendra. In the first three months of this year 45 had been killed in such incidents.