Two killed in ‘shootouts’

Two men were killed in “gunfights” with law enforcers in Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar early yesterday.

In Dhaka, a murder suspect was killed in a “gunfight” with police in Badda area.

The dead is Ramzan Mia, 36, suspected key planner of Badda Awami League leader Farhad Hossain murder, said Mashiur Rahman, deputy commissioner (DB North) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

The police official said Ramzan fled the country after Awami League leader Farhad was gunned down on June 15 last year.

On information of Ramzan’s return to home, a team of detective branch of police conducted a drive in the capital’s Satarkul area to arrest him. Sensing their presence, Ramzan and his cohorts opened fire on them, forcing the law enforcers to retaliate, Mashiur claimed.

During the “gunfight”, Ramzan was caught in the line of fire and sustained bullet wounds. He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead, the deputy commissioner added.

Police claimed to have recovered a pistol, a bullet and some yaba pills from the spot.

Meanwhile in Cox’s Bazar, a suspected drug peddler was killed in a “gunfight” with Rab in the district’s Teknaf upazila, reported UNB.

The dead is Salim Ullah, 36, a wanted criminal, also accused in several cases, said police.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of Rab-15 conducted a drive in Jhaubagan area of the town around 4:00am. Sensing police presence, the criminals opened fired on them, forcing the law enforcers to retaliate, reported UNB.

After the “gunfight”, Rab recovered Salim’s body, two firearms, 10,000 yaba pills and seven bullets from the spot.

The Daily Star, however, could not independently verify the law enforcers’ claims.