2 killed in Cox’s Bazar, Gazipur ‘gunfights’

Two people including a suspected yaba trader were killed in separate ‘gunfights’ with police early today, hours after they were arrested in Cox’s Bazar and Gazipur.

In Cox’s Bazar, Md Hamid Prakash alias Hamid Member, 45, a top listed yaba trader, was killed in a “gunfight” with police in Moheshkhalipara area of Teknaf upazila around 2:00am, Pradip Kumar Das, officer-in-charge (OC) of Teknaf Police Station, told our correspondent.

Hamid, who was accused in several drug cases, was arrested around 4:00pm on Monday from Moheshkhalipara bazar, he said.

Based on his information about drug dealing and firearms, police raided the area along with Hamid. But sensing the presence of the law enforcers, his accomplices fired back forcing the police to retaliate starting a “gunfight”, the OC said.

At one stage, Hamid came in the line of fire and was hit by a bullet. He was taken to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex in a critical condition where he died around 4:00am, the police official said.

The body was sent to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for autopsy, he added.

Three police officers -- Sub-inspector Shwapan Chandra Das, Sub-inspector Kazi Saif Uddin and Constable Royal Barua -- were injured in the “gunfight”, he added.

Police recovered four Light Guns, 17 cartridges, 21 bullet shells and 6,000 yaba tablets from the spot, the police official said.

Police filed two cases in connection with the incident, he added.

In Gazipur, Leon Siddique, 38, a suspected criminal, was killed in a reported gunfight with police in Kaliakoir upazila, reports UNB.

OC of Kaliakoir Police Station Alamgir Hossain said police arrested Leon from Konabari in Gazipur city on Monday over a case.

Based on his information, a team of police conducted drives at different places in Kaliakoir in the early hours of today to recover firearms and drugs, he said.

As the policemen reached Sinabaha, a group of criminals, who were staying there, opened fire on them forcing the law enforcers to retaliate with bullets, he said.

Leon was shot when he tried to flee while his cohorts managed to flee, the OC said.

The alleged criminal was taken to Kaliakoir Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead, he said, adding that five policemen were also injured in the “gun battle”.

Police recovered a pistol and three bullets from the spot, Alamgir said, adding that Leon was accused in 17 cases filed on different charges, including murder and extortion.