Sundarbans ‘robber’ killed in ‘gunfight’

An alleged robber gang-leader was killed in what law enforcers said “gunfight” in the Sundarbans’ Shoronkhola range under Bagerhat district today.
The victim was identified as Sagir Vandari, 35, son of Hossein Vandari from Bagerhat’s Morelganj upazila, our local correspondent reports.
“He was the leader of notorious robber gang Noyon Bahini,” said Harun-ur-Rashid, an assistant police superintendent and senior official of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) - 6.
A Rab-6 team cracked down in Panighat area after receiving intelligence on the robber group’s possible location around 7:30am, The Rab official said.
Sensing the presence of law enforcers, the robbers opened gunfire. The Rab personnel were also forced to fire back, he said.
Later, Sagir was found lying on the spot. Five “various firearms” were recovered, he added.
Sagir was taken to Shoronkhola Upazila Health Complex.
Shohadeb Adhikari, a duty doctor, told The Daily Star the victim was brought dead around 9:30am with two bullets shot through his chest.