One killed in Magura police shootout

A suspected robber was killed during a “gunfight” with police in Kashundi bridge area on Magura-Dhaka highway early yesterday.

The deceased was identified as Aminul Islam, 30, of Azampur in the sadar upazila of Magura.

Aminul was an accused in five robbery cases filed with Magura sadar and Islamic University police stations.

Sudarshan Roy, assistant superintendent of police in Magura, said a team of law enforcers conducted a drive in the area around 2:00am after receiving a tip that a gang of robbers were felling logs on the road to commit a robbery in the area.

As police approached the spot, robbers opened fire on them prompting the law enforcers to fire back, triggering a gunfight, police claimed.

“Aminul was caught in the line of fire and received four bullets while others managed to flee,” Roy said.

A number of people from adjacent areas rushed to the spot on hearing the gun shots.

“Police rushed Aminul to Magura sadar hospital with the help of locals but the doctors declared him dead at 3:00am,” witnesses said.

Police said they fired 18 bullets during the exchange.

Four police constables were injured during the incident. They were constables Taz Uddin, Kamrul, Mamun, and Lal Mia.

Police recovered a 9mm pistol, five bullets, two crude bombs and sharp weapons from the spot.

The body was sent to Magura Sadar Hospital for an autopsy.