'Drug peddler' killed in 'gunfight' with Rab

An alleged drug peddler was killed in a “gunfight” with Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in Narayanganj early this morning.

The deceased Hridoy alias Gittu Hridoy, 30, son of Sabuj Mia of Habibpur area in Sonargaon upazila, was a listed drug peddler and accused in several cases, Rab claimed.

Three people were also arrested during the drive which took place in Changrakandi area in the upazila, our Narayanganj correspondent reports quoting Rab.

Rab has sent the body to Narayanganj General Hospital for autopsy.

Acting on a tip off, the elite force members set up a check post in Changkakandi area on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in the early morning to catch a consignment of illegal drugs, the reports quoting Major Talukder Nazmus Sakib, deputy-commander of Rab-11.

Around 2:45am, when the elite force signalled a private car to stop, criminals started firing gunshots through the vehicle’s window, he added.

In self-defence, Rab members retaliated with gunshots triggering a “gunfight”, the Rab official added.

Rab members chased and caught the three people, who tried to escape after getting down from the vehicle, the deputy commander of Rab added.

A bullet-hit body found inside the car was identified as Hridoy by the others arrestees, Major Talukder said.

Doctors declared him after Hridoy was rushed to Upazila Health Complex.    

Two constables were hit with bullets, however got saved as they wore bullet proof vest, the major said. 

The arrestee are identified as driver of the vehicle Kamal Hossain, 30, Dollar, 28 and Selim, 32.

A foreign made pistol, two rounds of ammunition, five sharp weapons and 500 pieces Yaba tablets were recovered from the spot, he added.

A case is underway in this incident, the Rab official said.

Hridoy was accused in 15/20 cases including drugs, arms, extortion and mugging, Moniruzzaman, officer-in-charge of Sonargaon Police Station, told the correspondent.

The deceased was a listed drug peddler of the district and a bounty of Tk 10,000 was announced behalf of police for his arrest, he added.