4 'robbers' killed in 'gunfight' with Rab

Four alleged members of a Sundarban-based robber gang were killed yesterday in a “gunfight” with Rab in Chandpai range of the forest in Satkhira, Rab said.

The dead include Arif, leader of the gang locally known as Arif Bahini, said Mufti Mahamud Khan, director of Rab's Legal and Media Wing, adding that the identities of others were yet to be confirmed.

He said, “The gunfight ensued early in the morning when the bandits of Arif Bahini opened fire on a team of Rab-8, prompting them to retaliate, in Jongra Canal area.”

“The four were caught in the line of fire while the others managed to flee,” he said, adding that the bodies were handed over to Dacope Police Station in Khulna.

In Joypurhat, an alleged drug peddler was killed in a “gunfight” with Rab in Khetlal upazila early yesterday.

The dead Tofazzal Hossain, 40, was a resident of Moheshpur village in the upazila.

“Acting on a tip-off, a team of RAB-5 raided in Tausara village to arrest a group of drug peddlers around 1:45am,” said ASP Azmal Hossain, commanding officer of Joypurhat RAB.

Sensing presence of the law enforcers, the miscreants opened fire on them, forcing them to fire back, triggering a “gunfight”, the Rab official added.

Tofazzal sustained a bullet injury during the “shootout” while the rest escaped.

Rab members took him to Joypurhat Modern Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.

A firearm, a magazine, and 150 bottles of Phensedyl were recovered from the spot, Azmal added.

Two members of the Rab team were also injured during the gunfight, he said. 

Local police claimed that Tofazzal was accused in 13 cases filed with different police stations.