Accused killed in 'gunfight'

An accused in a murder case was killed in a “gunfight” between his cohorts and police in Moheshpur upazila of Jhenidah early yesterday.

The dead, Chhontu Mia, 23, of Lalpur village in the upazila, stood accused in a case filed for killing one of his villagers, said Aminul Islam Biplob, officer-in-charge of Moheshpur Police Station.

Chhontu was an active member of a gang which snatches motorcycles, according to police.

Police arrested Chhontu from Kushtia town on Monday afternoon. As per his statement, the law enforcers took him to Halidapara, about 20 kilometres southeast of the upazila headquarters, around 3:30am yesterday for recovering firearms and ammunition. 

When police reached the spot, associates of Chhontu opened fire on the law enforcers. Police then returned fire, triggering the “gunfight”, the police official said.

After the gun battle, police found the bullet-hit body of Chhontu on the spot and sent it to Jhenidah Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

Two constables of Moheshpur Police Station suffered bullet wounds, he claimed. They were admitted to Khulna Police Lines Hospital.

Police also claimed to have recovered a homemade gun and six bullets from the spot.