Three alleged drug peddlers, including two Rohingyas, were killed in two separate “gunfights” with Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Rapid Action Battalion in Cox’s Bazar yesterday and the day before, while another peddler was shot and injured while trying to flee from police in Lalmonirhat on Sunday. 

In Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhia upazila, two Rohingyas, allegedly involved in drug trade, were killed during a “gunfight” with BGB in Keruntoli area around 6:00am yesterday, said BGB Battalion 34 Commander Ali Haidar Azad Ahmad.

The dead were identified as Saiful Islam, 21, from camp 13 and Faruq Hossain, 25, son from camp 19 in Thaiongkahli area in the upazila.

On information that a gang of peddlers was at Keruntoli, the BGB sent a team to raid the area. Sensing their presence, the criminals fired at the BGB men, who then retaliated, said Commander Ali, adding that BGB then informed police about the incident.

Police later recovered the two bodies, along with 20,000 yaba pills and four sharp weapons from their possessions, from the spot, said Sub-Inspector (SI) Dipankar Roy of Whykong Police Outpost in Teknaf upazila.

The bodies were sent to Cox’s Bazar General Hospital for autopsy, he said, adding that they learned about their identities after investigation.

Meanwhile in the district’s Teknaf upazila, another alleged drug peddler, Mohiuddin, 26, was killed in “gunfight” with RAB-15 on the Marine Drive road early Sunday.

Rab-15 Wing Commander Azim Ahmed said the “gunfight” occurred when Rab was conducting an anti-narcotic drive in the area around 4:00am, adding that they recovered 10,000 yaba pills, a firearms and ammunition

Injured Mohiuddin was rescued while 10,000 yaba pills, a firearm and ammunition were recovered from the spot, claimed Rab.

Wing Commander Azim said Mohiuddin died of his injuries in Cox’s Bazar General Hospital around 11:00am, adding that his body was handed over to his family and that a case was being filed in this regard.

In another incident in Lalmonirhat, an alleged drug peddler was shot and injured when he tried to flee from police custody on Sunday night.

Arju Md Sajjad Hossain, officer-in-charge of Kaliganj Police Station, said after detaining Rafiqul Islam Rafique, 35, of Kaliganj upazila, police took him to Uttar Gopalroy Biduarmalli village to recover drugs. Over there, he tried to flee from police and was shot on his legs.

He was taken to Kaliganj Upazila Health Complex for treatment, OC Arju adding

He further said 100 bottles of phensedyl were seized from Rafique’s home, adding that he was accused in at least 10 drug cases filed with different police stations.

Our Cox’s Bazar and Lalmonirhat correspondents contributed to the report.