‘Bogra Shia mosque attacker’ among 2 killed in ‘gunfights’

The main accused in Bogra Shia mosque attack case was killed in a “gunfight” with police in Shibganj upazila of Bogra today.

Meanwhile, a “shootout” between police and robbers left another one dead in Jessore.

BOGRA

Deceased Kawsar Ali, 25, was an alleged member of banned militant outfit Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

An expert team of Detective Branch of police and Shibganj police took position near Lohar bridge at Jamtoli village in Shibganj upazila after receiving information that some JMB men were going to carry out an attack in the area, said Senior Assistant Superintendent of Bogra police (B Circle and Media) Gaziur Rahman.

Around 3:30am, the team noticed at least three people carrying bags were moving the area suspiciously.

They signalled to stop them but the gang started firing, forcing the law enforcers to fire back.

As the alleged militants managed to flee the scene, police rescued injured Kawsar and rushed him to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College and Hospital (SZMCH) in Bogra town where doctors declared him dead.

They also recovered a foreign-made pistol, one magazine, two bullets, two cartridges, five hand bombs and three sharp weapons including a machete from his possession.

Two policemen -- Abu Raihan, 24, of Shibganj Police Station, and Altaf Hossian, 26, of Detective Branch of police – were also injured in the “gunfight”. They were undergoing treatment at local Police Lines Hospital.

Kawsar’s body was sent to SZMCH morgue for autopsy.

On November 26 last year, armed assailants stormed a Shia mosque during prayers and opened fire on people, killing muezzin of the mosque and injuring three others.

Later, police in connection with the case so far arrested seven persons, who disclosed the name of Kawsar who played the key role in the mosque attack.

JESSORE

A suspected robber was killed in a “gunfight” with police on the Jessore-Magura road at Panchbaria of the district’s Sadar upazila, UNB reports.

Ilias Hossain, officer-in-charge of Jessore Kotwali Model Police Station, said a team of police was going to Isali village to arrest an accused.

As the team reached Panchbaria, they notice a gang of robbers committing robbery on the Jessore-Magura road around 2:45am.

Sensing the presence of police, the robbers fired shots targeting the law enforcers promoting them fire back.

One of the bullets hit a robber, leaving him dead on the spot, the OC said.

Police recovered a local pipe gun, a bullet and some rope from the spot.

Later, the body was sent to Jessore Medical College Hospital morgue for an autopsy.