'Robber' killed in Sundarbans 'gunfight'

An alleged leader of a robber gang was killed in a “gunfight” with Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in Sharankhola range of the Sundarbans in Bagerhat this morning.

The dead, Jamal, 35, was chief of the robber gang, locally known as Jamal Bahini, Rab sources said.

The elite force recovered 14 locally- and foreign-made firearms, eight sharp weapons and 100 cartridges from the spot.

Two teams of Barisal Rab-8 launched a drive in search of the members of the group in the Sundarbans from Sunday midnight, news agency UNB reports quoting Rab-8 officials.

As one of the teams reached at Katlarkhal in Sharankhola range of the Sundarbans East Zone around 5:00am, the robbers opened fire at them, prompting the elite force members to retaliate, triggering a “gunfight”.

After a half-an-hour fight, the robber gang finally gave up and managed to flee the scene.

Later, the body of Jamal was found on the spot.

Barisal Rab-8 deputy commander Maj Adnan Kabir confirmed the incident.