‘Murder accused’ killed in Jhenidah ‘gunfight’

An accused in a murder case was killed and two policemen were injured in a "gunfight" between criminals and law enforcers in Moheshpur upazila of Jhenidah early today.

Deceased Chhontu Mia, 23, son of Rowshan Ali of Lalpur village in the upazila, was accused in a case filed for killing one of his villagers, our Jhenidah correspondent reports quoting Aminul Islam Biplob, officer-in-charge (OC) of Moheshpur Police Station.

Police arrested Chhontu yesterday afternoon and took him at Balidapara, about 20 kilometres south-east of the upazila head quarters, around 3:30am for recovering firearms and ammunition.

As police reached the spot, cohorts of Chhontu opened fire targeting the law enforcers, triggering a "gunfight", OC Aminul said.

Police later found the bullet-hit body of Chhontu and sent it to Jhenidah Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy, the police official said.

Two constables -- Masud Hossain and Ahsan Habib – of Moheshpur Police Station sustained bullet wounds, he claimed. They were admitted to Khulna Police Line Hospital.

Police recovered a pipe gun and six bullets from the spot.