Rape accused killed in 'gunfight'

A man accused of rape was killed in a “gunfight” with Rab at Chakaria upazila of Cox's Bazar early yesterday.

Anwar Hossain Anu, 58, was accused of raping a fourth grader, Rab said, adding that the accused was “on the run”.

Major Ruhul Amin, company commander of Rab-7, told the correspondent that Rab conducted an operation, acting on a tip-off, around 4:00am to arrest Anwar.

“After the presence of law enforcers was sensed by some criminals, a “gunfight” ensued between them and the Rab officials. At one stage, the criminals fled the scene,” he said.

“Rab recovered Anwar's bullet-hit body and took it to Chakaria Upazila Heath Complex, where the doctors declared him dead.” They also claimed to have recovered a homemade gun, three bullets and two empty bullet shells from the spot.

Rab then filed a case with the Chakaria Police Station.

Bakhtiar Uddin, officer-in-charge of the police station, said they sent the body of Anwar to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy.

According to the case filed by the victim's father, Anwar allegedly raped his daughter, a Class-IV student, when she was on her way home on February 11. The case was filed with Chakaria Police Station on February 12.