Four people, including three policemen, were injured in a ‘gunfight’ with Yaba smugglers in Teknaf upazila early Thursday.
The three injured policemen were identified as sub-inspector Rajesh Barua, 35, constable Nihir Chandra Bhoumik, 40, and Habibur Rahman of Teknaf Police Station while the injured civilian was suspected Yaba smuggler Ramjan Ali.
Teknaf police officer-in-charge Ranjit Kumar Barua said they had secret information that a gang of smugglers along with a huge consignment of Yaba tablets was crossing the Naaf River in a bid to enter Bangladesh territory from Myanmar.
“A team of police led by me reached Keruntali area under Hoyaikong union of the upazila around 2:30am and lay in an ambush to arrest the gang,” said the OC.
When the gang was crossing the Naaf River, the police team challenged the gang, numbering 7-8, who fired gunshots at the law enforcers, triggering a gunfight, said the OC.
During the short gunfight, the three policemen and smuggler Ramjan suffered bullet wounds.
Later, police arrested Ramjan along with 1,000 Yaba tablets, two rounds of cartridge and one light gun.
Injured Ramjan was admitted to Sadar Upazila Health Complex.
The others, however, managed to flee the scene.
A case was filed in this connection.
Police earlier arrested Ramjan along with 20,000 Yaba tablets some days ago but he was released from jail on bail and again engaged in smuggling of the drug, added the OC.