Another 'robber' killed in Cumilla ‘gunfight’

An alleged robber was killed in a ‘gunfight’ between his cohorts and Detective Branch (DB) of police at Kongshonagar in Burichang upazila of Cumilla early Thursday, making him the second one to face the same fate in 24 hours.

The deceased, according to the police, is Halim, a ringleader of a robber gang and son of Mafizul Islam of Bajebaherchar village in the upazila.

Being tipped off that a gang was preparing to commit robbery, a team of DB police conducted a drive in the area around 3:00am, said Abdullah Al-Mamun, additional superintendent of Cumilla police.

Sensing the presence of the detectives, the robbers opened fire on the law enforcement, prompting them to retaliate. Halim was caught in the line of fire and sustained bullet injuries.

He was taken to Cumilla Medical College Hospital where the doctors declared him dead.

Police also arrested two robbers -- Jakir Hossain and Limon Sarkar -- from the spot.

Three policemen, including officer-in-charge of DB Nasir Uddin Mridha, were also injured in the gunfight, police added.

A case was filed with Burichang police station in this connection.

Another suspected robber, Rubayet Hossain Babul, was killed in another ‘gunfight with police in Daudkandi upazila of the district early Wednesday.

The law enforcement’s version of the event was, however, not verified independently as no version of the incident was available immediately either from any witnesses or from any members of the victim’s family.