2 ‘criminals’ killed in ‘gunfights’

Two alleged criminals were killed in “gunfights” with law enforcers in Khulna and Mymensingh early yesterday.

In Khulna’s Dumuria upazila, an alleged robber was killed in a “gunfight” with Rab yesterday.

The identity of the dead could not be known immediately, reported UNB.

Saiful Islam, sub-inspector at Dumuria Police Station, said a gang of robbers swooped on a house in Thukra area of the upazila around 1:30am.

Hearing people scream, a patrol team of Rab rushed to the spot. Sensing their presence, the criminals opened fire on them, forcing the law enforcers to retaliate, he claimed.

The team of Rab found a body from the spot after other criminals fled, the SI added.

Meanwhile in Mymensingh’s Nandail upazila, an alleged drug dealer was killed in a “gunfight” with police.

The dead is Hazrat Ali, 45, an accused in at least 10 cases, police said.

Shah Kamal Akanda, officer-in-charge of Detective Branch of the district police, said a police team raided Savar Community Clinic area around 1:15am on information that drugs were being smuggled there.

Sensing police presence, the drug peddlers opened fire, forcing them to retaliate, the OC said, adding that Hazrat was left injured.

He was rushed to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead, the OC added.

Police also claimed to have recovered a firearm, 300 grammes of heroin and 200 pieces of yaba pills from the spot.

Two policemen were also injured during the “gunfight”, Kamal said.

On Friday, police arrested two listed drug traders in Teknaf with large consignment of yaba pills and a firearm.

The arrestees are Rashedul Karim and Mahbubul Karim, brothers of Cox’s Bazar based top listed yaba trader Haji Saiful Karim.

The duo got involved in yaba trade following Saiful.

Pradip Kumar Das, officer-in-charge of Teknaf Police Station, the two criminals were arrested around 9:00pm from Saiful’s house.

According to locals, Saiful has been in hiding since law enforcers started nationwide anti-narcotic drive last year.

Saiful was out of the hook for a long time because of his close connection with some police officials. He along with a police official jointly erected a resort near Cox’s Bazar sea beach, they added.