Suspected Rohingya drug peddler killed in Cox’s Bazar gunfight: Rab

A suspected Rohingya drug peddler was killed in a gunfight with Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) members in Cox’s Bazar town early today, according to the law enforcement agency.

The deceased was identified as Abdul Nasir, 28, son of M Zakir of Balukhali Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, said Md Sha Alam, a Rab official. 

Sha Alam said a team of the Rab-15 set a check-post on marine drive road at Montalia Puranpara around 1:15am on information that a consignment of drugs would be smuggled through the area.

The Rab members challenged a gang of drug peddlers, who were carrying some sacks, when saw the latter passing the area, said the Rab official.

The criminals opened fire, forcing the elite force to retaliate with gunshots, he added.

At one stage, Nasir suffered bullet injuries while his cohorts managed to flee the scene, he said adding the injured Rohingya man was taken to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead.

Three Rab members were also injured during the gunfight, Sha Alam claimed. 

After the gunfight, the elite force recovered 66,915 yaba tablets, two firearms, five cartridges, two bullet shells and Tk 3,000 in cash, he said.