Three killed in 'shootouts'

Three alleged criminals were killed in separate “shootouts” between police and “suspected criminals” in Narayanganj, Mymensingh and Feni early yesterday.

In Mymensingh, an alleged robber was killed during a “gunfight” with police in Baroihati Bottola area of Gafargaon upazila.

The deceased was identified as Azizul Islam, 30, son of Abdur Rashid of Beldia village in Niguari union.

The “shootout” took place after detectives had raided Baroihati Bottola area around 3:00am on information that robbers blocked a road there to commit robbery, said Inspector Md Ashikur Rahman of Detective Branch of police in Mymensingh.

Sensing the presence of police, the gang opened fire on them, triggering the “gunfight” that left Azizul wounded, the police officer told our local correspondent.

Azizul, who was accused in at least four cases including two for robbery, was pronounced dead at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, the police said.

The law enforcers claimed they had recovered a sharp weapon from the spot.

The Narayanganj police claimed a youth named Parvez, 28, was killed in a “tripartite gunfight” among law enforcers and two groups of muggers at Fatullah upazila.

Md Shahjalal, inspector (investigation) of Fatullah police, said hearing the news that two gangs of muggers were exchanging bullets in Dapa Al-Amin Nagar area around 2:30am, a team rushed there to intervene. Both the gangs opened fire on the police, who also retaliated, he added.

When the gangs retreated, Parvez was found with bullet injuries and was later declared dead at Narayanganj General Hospital, reports our Narayanganj Correspondent.

The police claim Parvez, son of Sobhan Mia of Fatullah, was a mugger. He was accused in a case filed after a police rifle went missing on May 13 from Fatullah Rail Station area. The rifle was later recovered from a ditch at Dapa Balur Math the next day.

In Feni, Musa Alam alias Masud, 32, son of Shah Alam of Khushipur village of Daganbhuiyan upazila, was killed hours after he was arrested at Nangalkot in Comilla yesterday afternoon, reports a correspondent.

The “shootout” occurred in Khushipur Bridge area around 3:00am when police took him to arrest his accomplice Chhuttu, said Officer-in-Charge Abul Kalam Azad of Daganbhuiyan police.

Sensing the presence of police, Masud's accomplices opened fire on them. The police returned the fire, and Masud received a bullet during the “shootout”. He was declared dead at Daganbhuiyan Upazila Health Complex, the OC added.

Masud was accused in six cases in connection with murder, rape and robbery, the police said, adding that they had recovered a pistol and three bullets from the spot.

With the three, at least 76 people have so far been killed this year during “gunfights” with police, according to rights body Ain o Salish Kendra.