9 more killed in ‘gunfight’

Nine more suspected drug dealers were killed in reported gunfights last night and early today in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sherpur, Gaibandha, Netrokona, Comilla and Cox's Bazar districts.

Of them, two were killed in Netrokona, and one in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sherpur, Gaibandha and Comilla each in “gunfights” with law enforcers.

Also, two others were killed in Cox’s Bazar in “internal feuds between drugs rackets”, law enforcers claimed.

So far 61 have been killed in “encounter” in last eleven days.

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'Killings of drug peddlers not extrajudicial'

In almost every incident law enforcers gave identical narratives.

In Dhaka, Quamrul, a top listed drug peddler, was killed in a “gunfight” between his cohorts and members of Rab-2 in Tejgaon Industrial area early today.

He was wanted in 15 cases including arms and drug related ones, read an SMS sent from Rab headquarters.

A huge stash of yaba pills, arms and ammunition were said to have been recovered, the SMS added.

In Mymensingh, Rajon Mia, 30, a suspected drug peddler hailing from Purohitpara area in the city, was killed in a “gunfight” with DB police at Purohitpara in the city around 2:30 am, Ashiqur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Mymensingh DB police, told The Daily Star.

Rajon was wanted in eight narcotics related cases, said the OC.

Police also recovered 420 pieces of Yaba, two sharp weapons and shell of bullets from the spot.

In Netrakona, two suspected drug peddlers were killed in a reported “gunfight” with police at Monang in Sadar upazila early today, UNB reports.

The identities of the deceased could not be known yet.

Police also recovered 750 grams of heroin, 3500 pieces of Yaba pills and two pipe guns from the spot.

In Sherpur, a “gunfight” with police left Azad alias Kalu Dacoit, 28, an alleged drug peddler and son of Mantaj Ali of Marakandi Khashpara of Sadar upazila, dead at Satpakia in Sadar upazila early today.

Aminul Islam, additional superintendent of Sherpur police, told The Daily Star that the gunfight took place in the area around 2:30am when a team of police conducted an anti-narcotics drive in the area based on secret information.

Azad was wanted in 15 cases, including that of robbery and drugs and he was a top listed terrorist and drug dealer, the police official added.

In Gaibandha, a suspected drug peddler was killed in a “gunfight” with police at Balashighat in Phulchhari upazila early today, UNB reports quoting police.

Jewel was wanted in dozens of narcotics-related cases, said Khan Mohammad Shahrier, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station.

In Comilla, an alleged drug dealer Kamal Hossain, 50, was killed in a purported “gunfight” with police in Burichang upazila at the early hours of today, reports our correspondent.

Police said he was accused in over a dozen drug related cases.

Two of his cohorts -- Hanif, 42, of Sadar upazila and Illias, 28, of Chandina upazila -- were arrested during the drive, said Monoj Kumar Dey, officer-in-charge of Burichang Police Station.

Three police personnel were also injured during the gunfight, the OC also said, adding that 50 kilogrammes of cannabis and a pipe gun were recovered from the spot.

In Cox’s Bazar, police recovered the bullet-hit bodies of two alleged yaba traders in Moheshkhali and Ramu upazilas last night and early today.

An alleged drug trader was found dead at Darianagar on Cox’s Bazar-Tekhnaf marine drive road in Ramu upazila early this morning, said Monirul Islam, inspector of Himchhari Police camp.

Akhter Kamal, 41, also a member of Sabrang union parishad in Teknaf upazila, might have been killed in a “gunfight” between two rival yaba trade groups, the police official added. 

Also, a ring leader of a terrorist group Mohamadd Mostak, 37, was killed in a “gunfight” with his rival group led by Mahmudul Haque at Pahartali in Moheshkhali upazila around 10:00pm yesterday, said Pradib Kumar, officer-in-charge of Moheshkhali Police Station. 

Police recovered 1000 yaba tablets, four homemade guns, seven bullets and 30 bullet shells from the spot, the OC added.