An alleged leader of a robber gang, apprehended by police five hours earlier, was killed a “gunfight” between police and his cohorts in Sebbagh upazila of Noakhali around 2:45am today, according to police.

The deceased -- identified as Anwar Hossain Yousuf (44) of Purbo Lautoli village under Begumganj upazila in the district -- was the head of an inter-district robber gang and accused in 12 cases including seven for robbery, our correspondent reports quoting Md Alamgir Hossain, superintendent of police in Noakhali. 

Anwar was arrested from Jamidarhat area in Begumganj around 9.30pm yesterday, said Mizanur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Senbagh Police Station.

Police and detectives conducted a raid at Bircoat area in Senbagh upazila around 2:45am following Anwar’s statement that his cohorts are going to commit a robbery there, said the OC.

Sensing police presence, Anwar’s associates started firing on the law enforcers, forcing them to retaliate -- triggering a gunfight that lasted for five minutes, said the police official.  

At one stage of the gunfight, Anwar received bullet wounds from shots fired by his gang members, he added.

When the unidentified robbers escaped, police rescued Anwar and rushed him to Noakhali General Hospital, where duty doctors declared him dead, OC Mizanur said.

Three policemen -- Sub-inspector Jasim Uddin, ASI Lokesh Mahajon and Constable Abdur Rahman -- were also injured during the gunfight and received primary treatment, he said.

One pistol, three rounds of ammunitions and three sharp weapons were recovered from the spot, said SP Alamgir.