'Outlaw’ killed in Chuadanga 'gunfight'

An alleged member of an outlawed party was killed in a “gunfight” with police in Damurhuda upazila of Chuadanga early today.

Deceased Mirajul Islam alias Mira Mondol 42, son of Hafiz Mondol of Hatibhanga village in the upazila, was the member of Lal Pataka (red flag), one of the factions of Purbo Bangla Communist Partry (PBCP-ML.

He was also locally known as the commander of “Jamu-Akram Bahini” which is involved in extortion and robbery, said police.

Mirajul was accused in 11 criminal cases filed with different police stations in Chuadanga district, Akram Hossain, officer-in-charge of Damurhuda Police Station told our Kushtia correspondent.

A team from Damurhuda police station had arrested Mirajul with a firearm at Hatibhanga village Wednesday evening.

Acting on information obtained from him, Damurhuda police took him with them in a raid to recover a cache of arms at a hideout of Gobindohuda of the upazila.

Sensing their presence, Mirajul’s cohorts fired shots at the police near Gobindohuda Eidgah field around 2:00am, prompting police to retaliate and thus triggering a “gunfight”, the OC added.

At one point of the “gunfight”, Mirajul’s associates fled the scene, leaving his body behind, OC continued.

Police recovered one pistol, three crude bombs and three machetes from the spot, the OC said.