2 murder accused killed in separate ‘gunfights’

Two murder accused were killed in separate “gunfights” with police in Chattogram city and Satkhira early today.

The deceased were identified as Md Emdad, 38, of Sher Shah area in the port city, and Zakir Hossain Gazi, 38, of Matiadanga village of Satkhira Sadar upazila.

Both Emdad and Zakir were accused of multiple criminal cases including murder, police said.

In Chattogram, a team of police on information raided Majhir Ghona area to arrest Emdad as he was accused of a case filed with Bayezid Bostami Police Station over killing hawkers’ leader Md Ripon on December 31.

Sensing presence of the law enforcers, some criminals opened fire around 2:30am, Priton Sarker, officer-in-charge of the local police station, told our staff correspondent.

In retaliation, police also fired back, triggering a gunfight between them, OC Priton said.

At one stage, the criminals managed to flee.

Later, police found bullet-hit Emdad and took to Chattogram Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead, the OC added.

Police recovered a firearm and five bullets from the spot.

The body was kept to the CMCH Morgue for an autopsy.

Emdad was accused in four more cases filed with the police station over mugging and arms, said the OC.

Meanwhile in Satkhira, Zakir was killed in a gunfight between police and suspected robbers around 1:30am today, police said.

He was an accused of 13 cases including four for murder and two for robbery, said Mirza Salahuddin Ahmed, additional superintendent of Satkhira (Sadar Circle) police.

The "gunfight" took place during a special drive being conducted by police in the district since January 1, he said.

The law enforcers seized a firearm and two bullets from Damarpota area where the incident occurred.