‘Mugger’ killed in Kushtia ‘gunfight’

An alleged mugger was killed in a “gunfight” with police in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia early today.

Deceased Altab Hossain, 38, son of Golam Mostofa of Boalia in the upazila, was an accused in a dozen of cases filed with different police stations in Kushtia, our district correspondent reports quoting police.

Sabbirul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Detective Branch (DB) in Kushtia, said Altab was leading a gang involved in looting people on roads and highways.

Acting on information that a group of criminals led by Altab were staying on Daulatpur-Pipulbaria road to rob people, a joint team of DB and Daulatpur police conducted a drive in the area around 3:55am.

The law enforcers asked the criminals to surrender but the criminals opened fire on them, prompting them to retaliate triggering the “gunfight”, the official said.

At one stage, the criminals fled the scene, leaving Altab’s body on the spot, he added.

Police recovered a pistol, four machetes and, eight bullets from the spot.

Shah Dara, officer-in-charge (OC) of Daulatpur Police Station, said 11 cases were filed against Altab in Daulatpur and Bheramara police stations.

Of the cases, seven were filed for muggings, two for rapes and two for murders, OC said.