Robber killed in Bagerhat ‘gunfight’

A suspected robber was killed in a “gunfight” with the members of Rapid Action Battalion in Mollahat upazila of Bagerhat early today.

The deceased Hossain Sikdar alias Victor, a resident of Joydebpur village in Kalia upazila of Norail, was accused of at least 10 criminal cases including murder and robbery, our local correspondent reports quoting lawmen.

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) signaled six persons on two motorcycles to stop at a checkpost on Kahalpur highway around 3:00am, Rab-6 Commanding Officer Rafiqul Islam said in description.

“The motorcyclists tried to make a run for it and opened fire when Rab tried to stop them. The elite force members retaliated with gunfire, triggering a gunfight,” he said.

A bullet-hit body was found at the spot while others managed to flee, he said. The man was declared dead when rushed to Mollahat Upazila Health Complex, the Rab official said.

A pistol and three bullets were discovered from the spot of the gunfight.

A Rab member was also injured in the incident, the official also said.

Two separate cases were lodged with Mollarhat Police Station in this connection, said ANM Khairul Anam, officer-in-charge of the police station.