'Robber' killed in 'gunfight' in capital

An alleged robber was killed in a “gunfight” with police in the capital's Wari area early yesterday.

The victim, Shanto Chowdhury, 18, was a resident of Narayanganj, said Nurul Amin, additional deputy commissioner of police (Wari Division), adding that he, along with at least 14 others, used to rob people in different areas of the city.

Two sub-inspectors Raqibul Islam and Shukanta Biswas were seriously injured during the incident, the ADC added.

Nurul said police conducted a drive on information that a gang of robbers was taking preparation to commit a robbery in Gopibagh Rail Gate area around 11:45pm on Monday.

As policemen tried to arrest them, one of them started stabbing the law enforcers indiscriminately with a sharp weapon and tried to escape.

When police chased them, the criminals opened fire on the law enforcers, forcing them to retaliate that resulted in a “gunfight”, he said.

Shanto had a bullet injury while the two police officials Raqibul and Shukanta suffered stab injuries during the incident, Nurul said, adding that Shanto was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where he died around 7:00am yesterday.

Of the injured officials, Shukanta is undergoing treatment at National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases with stab injuries in his head and hand, the police official said.

Rakibul was admitted to Asgar Ali Hospital in Old Dhaka with stab wounds in head, police said.

Police caught two of Shanto's associates Munna, 23, and Sunny, 24, from the spot.

Meanwhile, police recovered a man's bullet-hit body in Godagari upazila of Rajshahi yesterday.

The victim, Motiur Rahman Moti, 40, stood accused in a criminal case, said Abdur Razzak, additional superintendent of Rajshahi district police.

However, the police official could not go into detail about the case filed back in 2006.

The body had two bullet marks on its forehead and chest, Razzak said.

Amena Begum, wife of the victim, said Moti went missing since Monday morning after he took his child to school.

The body was sent to Rajshahi Medical College morgue for an autopsy.

Our Rajshahi correspondent contributed to this report.