Another 'drug peddler' killed in 'gunfight'

Another alleged drug dealer was killed in a “gunfight” with police in Sirajganj early yesterday, two days after a similar incident during the ongoing anti-narcotics drive across the country.

Police said listed drug peddler Shahinur Rahman, 40, was killed following a “gunfight” with a team of detectives at Raipur Railway Station in Sirajganj Sadar, reports Our Pabna Correspondent.

With the latest incident, the number of deaths in the ongoing anti-drug drive has risen to 143 in last 28 days.

On information, the detectives raided the station area around 3:00am to arrest drug peddlers, said Mozaharul Islam, officer-in-charge of Sirajganj Detective Branch of Police.

“Sensing the presence of law enforcers, drug peddlers opened fire on the team. The detectives returned fire, prompting a gunfight for a few minutes when Shahinur sustained bullet injuries,” he added.

He was taken to Sirajganj Sadar Hospital where doctors declared him dead, said the OC.

Three policemen were injured during the “gunfight”, the police claimed.

Shahinur, son of Danesh Sheikh of Mahamudpur village in Sirajganj Sadar, was accused in 10 cases, mostly for drug peddling.

The Rapid Action Battalion started the crackdown on May 4, while police began narcotics purge from the first of Ramadan.

During the drives the law enforcers arrested around 18,000 suspected drug dealers, peddlers and users and seized around 31 lakh Yaba pills.

MURDER SUSPECT KILLED

A murder suspect was killed in what detectives claimed was a gunfight in Bhatara cattle market area in the capital early yesterday.

Shariful Islam, 28, was a suspect in two murder cases -- one for Banani manpower businessman Siddik Hossen Munshi and another for fish trader Abul Bashar Badshah, according to Mashiur Rahman, deputy commissioner (North) of Detective Branch of police.

On information that a gang of hired killers gathered on 100-Foot Road in Bhatara to commit a target killing, a team of detectives launched a drive there. Sensing the presence of police, the gang opened fire on them, prompting the law enforcers to retaliate, claimed the official.

The Daily Star could not independently verify the claim.

Following the “gunfight”, bullet-hit Shariful was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead.

The DC claimed Shariful had involvement in the two murders and also planned to extort money from businesspersons in Banani and Badda areas ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Siddik Hossain Munshi, 50, owner of recruitment agency Munshi Overseas, was shot dead at his Banani office on November 14 last year. Police said they arrested one Helal in December who revealed some names behind the killing.

Two more suspects in Siddik killing case -- Al Amin and Saddam -- were killed in a “shootout” on December 8 in Badda.

On February 17 this year, Nurul Islam alias Nuree, another suspect in Badshah killing case, was held by people after the fish trader was shot dead. Nuree was also killed in a “gunfight” later.