4 killed in ‘gunfights’

Two alleged criminals, including a drug peddler, were killed in “gunfights” with law enforcers in Chapainawabganj and Madaripur, while two suspected robbers were killed in what police claimed was a fighting between two groups of robbers in Cox’s Bazar yesterday.

In Chapainawabganj, an alleged criminal was killed in a “shootout” with police in Pulpara area of Sadar upazila yesterday afternoon.

The deceased was Bagha alias Babu, 38, of Chunakhali village of the upazila.

Ziaur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station, said police arrested Bagha from his home in Chunakhali village around 4:00pm. Later, police, along with Bagha, conducted a drive to arrest his other accomplices in Pulpara area.

At that time, Bagha’s accomplices attacked police with sharp weapons and also opened fire. Police then returned fire. Bagha was trying to flee police custody and was hit by bullets, while others fled, the OC said.

Bagha was taken to Chapainawabganj Sadar Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was referred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital where he died around 6:45pm.

Police claimed to have recovered a pistol, a magazine, two bullets and four sharp weapons from the spot.

Bagha stood accused in 19 cases, including murder, said the OC.

In Madaripur, a suspected drug peddler was killed in a similar incident with Rab at Char Airkandi in Kalkini upazila.

The deceased is Jahirul Islam alias Jokka, 40, of Kayariya village in the upazila.

Debashish Karmaker, company commander of Madaripur Rab, said