3 ‘human traffickers’ killed in Cox’s Bazar ‘gunfight’

Three suspected human traffickers were killed in a reported gunfight with police in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar early today.

The deceased were identified as Kurban Ali, 30, of Noyapara, Abdul Quader, 25, and Abdur Rahman, 30, of KK Para in Teknaf.

A team of police conducted a drive in Maheskhaliapara Noughat area around 4:00am to arrest accused in a case filed over trafficking of 15 Rohingyas, Officer-in-Charge of Teknaf Police Station Pradip Kumar Das said.

Sensing the presence of police, the “human traffickers” opened fire on them forcing law enforcers to fire back in self-defence which triggered a “gun battle”, he said.

Police found the three with bullet wounds after the “gunfight” and took them to Sadar Hospital where doctors declared them dead, the OC said, claiming that two policemen were also injured in the incident.

Police recovered three guns from the spot, he said.

Injured policemen -- Assistant Sub-inspector Sayef, and constable Md Shukkur -- were taken to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex.