'Drug dealer' killed in 'shootout'

A suspected drug peddler was killed in what police claimed was a gunfight between two groups of drug peddlers in Kotchandpur upazila early yesterday.

The deceased was identified as Selim Hossain, 35, son of Nur Islam of Kashimpur village of the same upazila.

With this, at least 233 suspected drug peddlers or traders have so far been killed since the nationwide anti-narcotics drive began on May 4. Most of them were killed in so-called shootouts involving police and Rapid Action Battalion.

On information that two groups of “drug peddlers” were engaged in a “gunfight” in Dakatia area on Sabdurpur Road, a team of police rushed there around 2:00am, said Biplob Kumar Nath, officer-in-charge of kotchandpur police.

“When we reached the spot, the gunfight was already over,” the OC claimed, adding that they recovered the bullet-hit body of Selim from a paddy field and sent it to Jheniadah Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

The “gunfight” took place following an altercation over sharing money, the OC claimed.

The police also recovered a one-shooter gun, two bullets, 40 bottles of Phensidyl, 300 yaba tablets, four cellphone sets and a private car from the spot, he added.

Selim was accused in five cases including four for drug smuggling and one for abduction, according to the police.