A suspected leader of a robbery gang was killed in an alleged “gunfight” in Shariatpur while the bullet hit body of a “drug peddler” was found in Cox's Bazar yesterday. 

The robber was identified as Salauddin, alias Sajal alias Kamal alias Aslam, 39, from Gosairhat upazila.

Abdul Momen, superintendent of police in Shariatpur, said a team from the Detective Branch (DB) of police arrested Salauddin from Kajirhat in Jajira upazila on Tuesday, reports UNB.

After obtaining information from the primary interrogation, a police team from Palong Model Police Station raided an orchard near a mosque in the village around 1:30am. The law enforcers had taken Salauddin along with them.

Sensing the presence of law enforcers, his gang members opened fire, prompting the police officials to fire back. Salauddin was left with bullet injuries after the “gunfight”.

He was taken to Sadar Hospital where doctors declared him dead.

Four policemen were also injured, Momen said.

Police claimed to have recovered a shotgun, six crude bombs, and several sharp weapons from the spot.

Salauddin was accused in six robbery cases, police said.

Meanwhile in Cox's Bazar, police yesterday recovered the bullet-hit body of a “fugitive”, who was accused in cases related to narcotics, from Teknaf upazila.

The dead was identified as Ali Hossain alias Sona Miah, 39, from Paschim Satghoria Para in the upazila.

Inspector (investigation) of Teknaf Model Police Station ABMS Doha said, that upon hearing gunshots in Dhalarmukh on Hoaikkong-Baharchhora road, locals informed police of a “gunfight”. A team of law enforcers rushed to the spot, recovered Ali's body and sent it to Teknaf upazila Health Complex. Dr Mostafizur Rahman, of the emergency department, said there were two bullet wounds on Ali's chest and back.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the police station Pradip Kumar Das said Ali was a listed yaba trader. He was accused in three cases under anti-narcotics act and on the run.

The body was sent to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

The OC added that Teknaf police have recovered seven bullet-hit bodies of alleged yaba traders since October 20.