2 ‘drug traders’ killed in Cox’s Bazar ‘gunfight’

Two suspected drug traders were killed in a reported gunfight with police in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar early today.

The deceased were identified as Zia alias Babul, 30; and Azim Ullah, 46, of the upazila.

Babul was wanted in several criminal cases, said police.

Pradip Kumar Das, officer-in-charge of Teknaf Model Police Station, said police arrested Babul from Hinla Bazar yesterday afternoon.

After interrogation, a team of police took him with them in a drive to recover firearms around 4:00am today.

As soon as police reached at Hoaikong Satgharia Para, Babul’s associates opened fire and tried to snatch the criminal, the OC said.

Babul and Azim sustained gunshot wounds during the skirmish. They were taken to a local hospital where doctors pronounced them dead.

Four policemen were injured during the gunfight, the OC said.

A shutter gun, five light guns, 36 bullets, and 5,000 Yaba pills were recovered from the spot.