3 killed in separate ‘gunfights’

Three alleged criminals were killed in separate “gunfights” with law enforcers in Rajbari, Munshiganj and Jessore districts today.

The victim, who was killed in Benaple of Jessore, escaped with handcuff from the police custody hours before the “gunfight”.

Six police personnel were also injured during the alleged gunfights in Munshiganj and Jessore.

JESSORE

Elias Mridha, 32 son of Suruj Mia of Sadar upazila of Rajbari district, was killed in a reported gunfight between firearms traders and law enforcers on Putkhali border in Benapole.

Around 1:30am, a team of police challenged two motorcyclists for their suspicious movement in the area, our local correspondent reports quoting Apurbo Hasan, officer-in-charge of Benapole Port Police Station.

Sensing danger, the criminals opened fire. In reply, police also fired bullets that led to a “gunfight”.

Elias was hit by a bullet and died on the spot while his associates managed to flee the scene, the OC said.

Police recovered two foreign made pistols and a motorcycle from the spot.

Sub-inspector Monir Hossain and two constables of the police station suffered bullet injuries during the incident.

On Tuesday night, police arrested Elias along with a foreign-made pistol, two magazines and one bullet while he was trading firearms in Benapole Bus Stand area.

Elias escaped with handcuff from police custody at Kagajpukur when he was being taken to the district court from Benapole Port Police Station by police van on Wednesday, the OC said.

RAJBARI

An outlaw was killed in an alleged gunfight between Detective Branch (DB) of police and his cohorts at Alipur in Sadar upazila of the district early today.

The deceased Sahinur Rahman, 39, son of Joynal Mia of Khankhanapur in the Sadar upazila, was a top leader of outlawed Maoist Bolshevik Organisation Movement (MBOM).

Sahinur was accused in 13 cases, including eight for murder, extortion and robbery, filed with different police stations in the district, reports our Kushtia correspondent quoting police.

Sub-Inspector Kamal Hossain of Rajbari DB Police said that a team arrested Sahinur from a hideout of Alipur on Wednesday evening based on information given by the MBOM regional leader of the district, Akram Hossain, who was arrested on Monday with five different firearms and ammunitions.

DB official said Sahinur was top cadre of outlawed Gono Mukti Fouz but he joined the MBOM years ago.

As per his confessional statement, the DB team took Sahinur to Alipur to recover the firearms.

“Sahinur’s cohorts opened fire on us after we recovered a shutter gun, one pistol and one revolver from the scene,” he added.

Police then retaliate with bullet, triggering a “gunfight”, he said.

Sahinur was hit by bullets while trying to flee. He was rushed to Rajbari Sadar Hospital where doctors declared him dead.

According to police, Sahinur hurled bombs at a police team in Goalondo ghat area in February, 2013.

MUNSHIGANJ

A fugitive accused was killed and three policemen were injured during a reported gun battle between his cohorts and police in Tongibari upazila.

Deceased Pichchi Sentu, 35, son of Joynal Bypari of West Sonarong village was accused in six cases, our district correspondent reports quoting police.

The injured police personnel -- Inspector of Tongibari Police Station Jasim Uddin and constables Delwar Hossain and Mizanur Rahman -- are undergoing treatment at Munshiganj Sadar Hospital, said Alamgir Hossain, officer-in-charge of the police station.

Police arrested Sentu from Paikpara area on Wednesday night.

Following his confessional statement, police along with Sentu went to the Tongibari area to recover hidden firearms.

As they reach the scene Sentu’s cohorts opened fire at the policemen, prompting them to retaliate.

Sentu came in line of the fire and died on the spot as he was trying to flee from the scene, the OC said.

The body was sent to Munshiganj Sadar Hospital for autopsy.

Police recovered a revolver with two rounds of bullets and some sharp weapons from the spot, he added.