2 Sundarbans ‘bandits’ killed in ‘gunfight’

Two alleged bandits were killed in what law enforcers described as gunfight in the Chandpai range of the Sundarbans under Bagerhat district today.

The deceased were identified as Kashem alias Akash, 40, the ringleader of one Akash Babu Bahini, and Farid alias Maijhe, 36, our Bagerhat correspondent.

“We were looking for the group for over a month,” said Maj Adnan Kabir, second in command of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) – 8 in Bagerhat.

Tipped-off on their probable location, a team of the elite force cordoned Tamgulbunia Khal area around 7:30am. Sensing presence of Rab, the bandits opened fire. Rab fired back in retaliation.

After half-an-hour of gunfight, the bullet ridden bodies of the two were found at the spot, he said. Six single barrel guns, five short rifles, four one-shooter guns, two air guns and 450 rounds of ammo were recovered from the spot.