‘Robber’ killed in ‘gunfight’ with Meherpur cops

Police recovered a firearm, sharp weapons and crude bombs at Nurpur village in Meherpur Sadar upazila early Sunday. Photo: STAR

An alleged robber-gang ringleader was killed in gunfight with police in Meherpur Sadar early today.

The deceased was identified as Miarul Islam, 45, son of Iman Ali from the upazila, our Kushtia correspondent reports quoting police.

Police arrested Miarul, who was accused of at least 10 cases including murder, in a drive at Nurpur village Saturday evening, said Ahsan Habib, officer-in-charge of Meherpur Police Station.

During interrogation, Miarul confessed his involvement and leadership in a local robber gang and admitted to have a cache of firearms in his possession, the OC said.

In a drive to recover the firearms, police accompanied Miarul to Nurpur village around 4:00am. Sensing danger, Miarul’s cohorts opened gunfire on police, he said. “Police fired back.”

Miarul killed on the spot and Sub-Inspector Ahsan Ullah, Assistant Sub-Inspector Abdul Haq and Constable Arjun Kumar were shot in the half-and-hour gunfight, the police official said.

Three crude bombs, a shutter-gun, two sharps weapons and five bullets were found from the spot.