‘Drug peddler’ killed in ‘gunfight’

A suspected drug peddler was killed in a “gunfight” with police at Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar on Friday night, hours after the law enforcers detained him from his home.

The dead -- Md Ibrahim, of Mistri Para area in the upazila -- was a listed yaba dealer and had several cases filed against him, said Pradip Kumar Das, officer-in-charge of Teknaf Model Police Station.

Police conducted a drive near Shah Porir Dwip in the upazila, taking Ibrahim along with them, to recover drugs. Sensing police presence, Ibrahim’s cohorts opened fire, forcing the law enforcers to retaliate, the OC claimed.

At one point of the “gunfight”, Ibrahim sustained bullet injuries. Police then rushed him to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead, the OC added.

Police also claimed to have recovered three locally made firearms and 5,000 pieces of yaba pills from the spot.

The Daily Star, however, could not independently verify the police claims.