Child rape suspect killed in 'gunfight'

A man accused in a child rape case was killed in a 'gunfight' with Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-7) early yesterday at Banshkhali upazila in Chittagong.

The deceased was identified as Abdul Hakim Mintu, 30, son of Md Samsul Alam of Tekpara of Banshkhali, Rab said. He is an accused in a case filed with Banshkhali Police Station in connection with the rape of a 10-year old minor girl on April 18.

The gunfight took place at a borderline area between Banshkhali and Pekuya thana area around 5:00am when a team of Rab went there to arrest the alleged rapist, said Deputy Director (DD) of RAB-7 Lieutenant Commander Ashequr Rahman.

“On receiving a tip off, a team of Rab carried out a raid to arrest Mintu. Mintu and his associates opened fire at the Rab personnel and RAB also shot back in retaliation,” Lt Com Ashequr said.

The bullet-riddled body of Mintu was recovered from Toitong area under Pekuya union after the gunfight ended. A one-shooter gun and five rounds of bullets was also recovered from the area, the DD said.

Mintu was rushed to the Pekuya Health Complex where the on-duty doctors declared him dead. Lt Com Ashequr said two Rab members who suffered minor injuries in the shooting were also given primary treatment.

Mintu allegedly raped the three grader after forcibly taking her to a paddy field when she was out cutting grass for her cattle at Tekpara village of Shekherkhil union on April 18. The victim's father filed a case accusing Mintu on April 21.

Meanwhile, the rape victim was admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) One-Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) for medical test and is undergoing treatment there, police said.