A criminal was killed in a gunfight between his gang and security force members in Rangamati early today morning, according to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release.  

The deceased was identified as Arpon Chakma alias Babudhan Chakma. He was a FIR-named accused in the murder case of Naniarchar upazila chairman Shaktiman Chakma, the release read.

Arpon was a member of the armed wing of United People's Democratic Front, it added.

According to the press release, the gunfight ensued when a patrol team of Shuvlong camp under Rangamati zone was patrolling at Banaschhari of Bandukbhanga area in a boat in the early morning.

Suddenly, a group of armed criminals from a hilltop opened fire targeting the patrol team, forcing the security force members to fire back in self-defence, the release said.

After 15 to 20 minutes, the armed criminals were forced to fall back and the security force members took control of the area, the release said, adding that later they conducted a search in the area and recovered the body of Arpan.

The team also recovered a foreign pistol, a locally-made weapon, several bullets and cartridges from the spot, the release added.

The ISPR release says Arpon and his associates were involved in extortion at Banaschhari for the last three to four months.

Sub-Inspector Al Amin of Rangamati Kotwali Police Station told this newspaper that policemen recovered the body after the gunfight.

The body had five bullet marks on it, he said.

Shaktiman Chakma, 55, also a leader of Parbatya Chattogram Jana Sanghati Samity (MN Larma), was shot dead by unidentified criminals near Naniarchar upazila parishad complex on May 3, 2018.

Meanwhile, a suspected drug trader was killed in a reported gunfight with police at Bagoan village in Doulatpur upazila in Kushtia early yesterday, reports UNB.

The deceased was identified as Shahidul Islam alias Shahid, 34, from Jamalpur village in the upazila. Police said he was wanted in 14 criminal cases.

SM Arifur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Doulatpur Police Station, said acting on a tip-off, they conducted a drive in the area around 3:00am.

As soon as the law enforcers reached the spot, criminals opened fire opened fire on them, forcing them to retaliate that triggered a gun battle.

At one point, Shahid had a gunshot wounds. Later, police took him to a local hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.

A firearm, two bullets and 50 bottles of Phensedyl were recovered from the spot, the UNB report says.