'Robber' killed in 'gunfight' in Savar

An alleged robber was killed in a “gunfight” between police and a gang in Savar on the outskirts of the capital early yesterday.

The deceased was identified as Rubel, 26, from Tangail. He is said to be a member of an inter-district highway robbers' gang.

Abul Kalam Azad, sub-inspector of Ashulia Police Station, said police were on the lookout for the gang since a highway robbery on the night of February 12.

The robbers attacked a bus travelling from Tangail on Nabinagar-Chandra road in Shreepur area.

They killed the bus driver and injured the bus helper and conductor. After robbing the passengers, the gang fled.

 A murder case and a robbery case were filed with Ashulia Police Station in this regard.

On Thursday, DB police arrested Rubel, prime accused in the robbery case, from Kobirpur area around 9:30pm. Based on Rubel's confessional statement, a team of Ashulia Police Station and Detective Branch of Police (Dhaka north) jointly launched a drive in Ashulia's Tongabari area around 3:00am yesterday to arrest the other gang members. They took Rubel along with them. Sensing the law enforcers' presence, the robbers opened fire, prompting the law enforcers to retaliate, he said.

Rubel was caught in the line of fire. The other gang members managed to flee.

He was taken to Savar Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead, the SI said.

A foreign made pistol and some local sharp weapons were recovered from the spot, the SI added. Three police member suffered minor injuries during the drive.

Rubel's body was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy. The SI said the deceased was an accused in several cases for robbery and murder filed with different police stations.