5 killed in ‘gunfights’ in 4 districts

Five persons, including an alleged drug peddler, were killed in what law enforcers claimed to be gunfights in Tangail, Comilla, Sirajganj and Rajbari districts early today.

In Tangail, an alleged drug peddler was killed in a “gunfight” between two rival groups of drug dealers in Madhupur upazila early today, reports our Tangail correspondent.

The deceased was identified as Masud Rana Farid, 42, a former member of Aronkhola union parishad and son of late Shamsul Mondol of Kakraid village, said Shofiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Madhupur Police Station.

The “gunfight” ensued between two groups of drug peddlers at Magontinagar area centring a dispute over drugs and money, the OC said.

On information, police recovered Farid’s bullet hit body from the spot around 8:30am, he said.

Farid was accused of five drugs related cases with the police station, he added.

In Comilla, two alleged robbers were killed in a reported gunfight with detectives near Narayanpur graveyard in Titas upazila around 2:45am, our local correspondent reports quoting police.

The deceased were identified as Al Amin Kawser, 30, son of Khorshed Alam of Maniknagar in Titas upazila and Ershad Mia, 32, son of Nurul Islam of Kongshonagar in Burichang Upazila.

Tipped off that a gang of robbers was planning to commit robbery, a team of Detective Branch (DB) of Comilla police launched a crackdown in the area, said Md Shakhawt Hossain, additional superintendent of police in Comilla.

Sensing presence of law enforcers, the robbers opened fire on them that triggered the gunfight, the ASP said.

After the gunfight ended, Al Amin and Ershad were found dead and later identified, he also said, adding that three policemen were also hurt during the standoff and five other suspects were apprehended later.

Two light guns, four rounds of cartridges, three knives, two iron bars and seven masks were recovered from the scene, the police official added.

In Sirajganj, a suspected robber was killed in a reported gunfight with Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) members at Paikpara in Ullapara upazila early today.

The deceased was identified as Hazrat Ali, 35, son of Mahamud Ali of Pankharua village in Ullapara upazila of the district, reports our Pabna correspondent.

Tipped off, a team of Rab-12 went to the spot around 2:30am, said Md Sakibul Islam Khan, additional superintendent of police and commanding officer of Rab-12.

Sensing presence of the elite force members, the robbers opened fire on them prompting them to retaliate, triggering the gunfight, the Rab official said.

Later, Rab members recovered the body of Hazrat Ali and two shutter guns, 14 cartridges, one axe, a sharp weapon, and three bullets from the spot, he said.

Hazrat was the ring leader of a robber gang and has been accused in 12 cases including murder and robbery, the Rab official added.

In Rajbari, a suspected top leader of outlawed 'Lal Pataka' was killed in a reported gunfight with police in Pangsha upazila early today.

The deceased was identified as Lalon Hawladar, 42, son of late Jiten Hawladar of Gobindapur village under Sujanagar upazila in Pabna, reports our Faridpur correspondent.

Laon was the second-in-command of 'Julhash Bahini' of 'Lal Pataka', a faction of the outlawed 'Purba Banglar Communist Party', said Fazlul Karim, senior assistant superintendent of Rajbari Police (Pangsha circle).

Tipped off, a team of police conducted a drive in Sluice Gate area of Habashpur union under the upazila around 4:00am, the police official said.

Sensing presence of the law enforcers, the outlawed members opened fire on the police, forcing them to fire back, he said.

At one stage, police recovered the body of Lalon, who was wanted in four cases, from the spot.

Police also recovered two firearms and six cartridges from the scene, the police official added.