Two killed in 'shootouts'

Two people including a fugitive accused of raping a five-year-old girl in Cox's Bazar were killed in “gunfight” with Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in the last two days.

Abdur Rahim, 20, accused of raping the girl at Chakaria upazila on March 26 was killed in a “gunfight” with Rab early yesterday, reports our correspondent in Cox's Bazar.

The incident occurred in Ulubania area adjacent to Katakhali Bridge under Dulahazara union around 12:30am.

Company Commander Maj Md Ruhul Amin of Rab's Cox's Bazar camp said criminals opened fire on a patrol team of the elite force. The crime busters returned the fire and drove away the criminals.

The Rab team recovered bullet-hit body of Rahim, one shooter-gun, three bullets and two empty cartridges from the spot.

Police and local sources said Rahim, son of Akhter Ahmed of Ulubania area, lured the girl to a secluded room and raped her. The victim was later rescued and taken to Chakaria Upazila Health Complex. As her condition deteriorated, on duty doctors sent her to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital.

The victim's grandfather filed a case with Chakaria police on March 28.

The locals said several allegations of abusing women against Rahim had earlier been settled through arbitrations.

In Bagerhat, a middle-aged man named Haider Ali was killed in a “gunfight” with Rab at Rampal on Saturday night.

The Rab could not give detailed identity of the man of around 50, reports our Bagerhat Correspondent.

Rab-8 Deputy Commander Maj Sajibul Islam said preparations were being taken for surrender of three Sundarbans robber gangs before Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal scheduled for yesterday.

As part of that, a Rab team went to Sapmari area to bring the robbers when a group of criminals opened fire on them in the dark.

The Rab also retaliated, he said, adding, after about 10 minutes, the criminals retreated and a bullet-hit body was recovered from the area. Locals later identified the body as Haider Ali.

Several weapons and bullets were recovered from the spot.