3 ‘robbers’ killed in ‘gunfight’ with Rab

Three alleged robbers were killed in a "gunfight" with Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in the Sundarbans under Sharankhola range of Bagerhat this morning.

Two of the robbers were identified as Saddam, 27, and Sohel, 25, (full names were not known), Major Adnan Kabir, deputy director of Rab-8, told The Daily Star.

They are members of a local robber gang known as Sagor Saikat Bahini, Rab sources said.

The robbers opened fire when a team of Rab-8, acting on a tip-off, conducted a raid in Katlar Khal (lake) area of the Sundarbans around 7:30am, Major Adnan said.

In face of the firing, the elite force members retaliated by firing bullets, triggering a "gunfight" between them.

The Rab team found three bullet-hit bodies lying on the ground when all the bandits managed to leave the scene at one stage of the "gun battle", the Rab official said.

The Rab members recovered 12 firearms, over 50 bullets, sharp weapons, cash and torch lights from the scene.