'Drug peddler' killed in 'gunfight'

A suspected drug peddler was killed in a “gunfight” with Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) at Mirkadim in Sadar upazila early yesterday.

The dead was identified as Malek Abdul, 45, from Dakkhin Islampur in the district, Rab officials said.

Mithul Islam, assistant director of Rab-11, said that after a tip-off about a group of drug peddler thronging the area, a Rab-11 team conducted a drive there around 3:45am. Sensing presence of law enforcers, four to five people of the gang opened fire, forcing members of the elite force to fire back.

After the alleged shootout, Rab officials found Malek with bullet wounds and took him to Munshiganj General Hospital where doctors declared him dead, he added.

Malek was wanted in 11 cases filed with different police stations, said Alamgir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station.

Rab also claimed to have recovered one pistol and a magazine, three bullets, Tk 2500 in cash and 800 yaba pills from the spot.

With this, at least 235 alleged drug traders and peddlers were killed since the anti-narcotics drive began on May 4. Most of them were killed in so-called shootouts involving police or Rab.