Alleged drug peddler killed in 'gunfight'

A suspected drug peddler was killed in a “gunfight” with detectives in Khidirpur Madhya Char area of Rajshahi early yesterday.

The deceased is Alamgir Hossain, 50, a resident of city's Dasmari area.

He was accused in 10 drug-related cases, including one filed for stabbing two policemen during an anti-drug raid in Madhya Char area on October 1, said Iftekhar Alam, assistant commissioner (AC) of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police.

The “gunfight” ensued around 1:45am when a team of detectives challenged a group of “drug peddlers” in the area and they opened fire on the law enforcers.

Alamgir was caught in the line of fire and sustained bullet injuries, said the AC. He was declared dead at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

Police recovered 198 bottles of Phensedyl from the spot. The AC said four police members were injured during the gunfight.

Alamgir was involved in drug peddling for over 10 years and had been arrested several times, he said, adding that police caught him with Phensedyl last year.

Mentionable, Alamgir competed for the ward councillor post as an independent candidate in the recently concluded Rajshahi City Corporation elections.

With this, at least 239 suspected drug traders or peddlers are killed since the anti-narcotics drive began on May 4. Most of them were killed in so-called shootouts involving police and Rab.