Bachchcu murder suspect killed in ‘gunfight’

Prime suspect in the murder of progressive writer-publisher Shahjahan Bachchu was killed in what police described as “gunfight” in the early hours of today.

Deceased Abdur Rahman, 34, described as a member of extremist outfit, was arrested earlier from Gazipur on June 24, our Munshiganj correspondent reports.

Munshiganj District Intelligence Officer Md Najrul Islam told The Daily Star, to apprehend his cohorts, police accompanied Rahman and raided Khashmahal-balurchar in Sirajdikhan.

Injured police officers admitted to Munshiganj General Hospital after a gunfight with a militant outfit in Munshiganj on 28 June, 2018. Photo: Farhana Barna

From what is described, his cohorts opened gunfire on police and the lawmen retaliated with equal. Abdur Rahman was caught in the line of firing and died.

Sirajdikhan Police Station’s Assistant Sub-Inspector Delowar, Assistant Sub-Inspector Md Hasan and Constable Mosharrof were said to have been injured in the “gunfight”.

Munshiganj Police. Photo: Farhana Barna

The body of Abdur Rahman has been sent to Munsiganj General Hospital morgue. The injured police officials were admitted to the same hospital.

Police has recovered hand grenades, firearms and a motorbike that was used in murdering Shahjahan Bachchu. A press briefing will be arranged later, they said.

Unidentified criminals shot dead a writer-publisher and former CPB leader in Sirajdikhan upazila of Munshiganj on June 11, 2018.

Shahjahan Bachchu, 55, was acting editor of weekly Amader Bikrampur and former general secretary of Munshiganj chapter of Communist Party of Bangladesh. He had his own publishing house “Bishaka Prokashoni”.