2 'robbers' killed in 'gunfight'

Two alleged robbers, including the chief of infamous “Akash Babu Bahini”, were killed in a “gunfight” with members of Rapid Action Battalion on the Tambulbunia canal in the Sundarbans yesterday.

The deceased are Kashem alias Akash, 40, the chief of the gang, and Farid alias Maijja, 45, its second-in-command, Rab said.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of Rab-8 conducted a drive on the canal under Chandpai Range of the mangrove forest in the morning, said Rab-8 Deputy Director Maj Adnan Kabir, who led the drive.

Sensing the Rab men's presence, a gang of 10 to 12 robbers opened fire on them. As the Rab members retaliated, a “gunfight” ensued, which lasted for half an hour from 7:15 am, Adnan claimed.

After the gunfight, the Rab personnel along with local fishermen searched the area and found the bullet-hit bodies of Kashem and Farid, he said, adding that the fishermen identified the bodies.

The elite force members also recovered 17 firearms, 450 bullets and sharp weapons from the spot.

Adnan claimed that the gang had been abducting fishermen of the area for ransom.

The bodies were sent to Mongla Police Station, he added.