2 killed in 'shootout' in Ctg

Two alleged robbers were killed in a "gunfight" with Rapid Action Battalion in Mirsarai upazila of Chittagong early yesterday.

The dead are Kamrul Hasan, 41, of West Shewrapara in the capital, and Yakub Ali, 34, of Mothbaria upazila in Pirojpur.

The deceased were involved in the robbery of Shamim Jewellery shop in Baroiarhat Bazar of the upazila on February 26, said Lt Col Miftah Uddin Ahmed, commanding officer of Rab-7.

Acting on a tip-off that some criminals were preparing to commit a robbery in Muhuri Project area around 4:00am, a team of Rab-7 raided there, said the Rab official.

Sensing the elite force members' presence, the gang opened fire on the team, prompting the law enforcers to return fire that triggered the gun battle, claimed the Rab official.

After the gun battle, the bodies of Yakub and Kamrul were found on the spot while the others fled.

The Rab official claimed to have recovered eight firearms, including four pistols, bullets, sharp weapons and looted goods from the spot.

Miftah said on the CCTV footage, the deceased were seen robbing the jewellery shop.

In March, police arrested one Jaman from Naogaon in connection with the robbery. Owner of the jewellery shop claimed that robbers looted over 200 tolas of gold ornaments.

With yesterday's two, at least five people were killed and six others were injured in seven incidents of "gunfights" with the law enforcement agencies in different areas in Chittagong since July last year.

The law enforcers claimed that all the deceased were suspected robbers or criminals.