Ex-army officer killed in police firing, probe body formed

A retired army major was killed in police firing at a marine drive check post in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazaar on Friday night.

The deceased is Sinha Rashed Khan.

Police said the army officer was coming to Cox’s Bazar from Teknaf in his private vehicle with another person around 10:30pm. When police halted his vehicle and attempted a search, an altercation ensued. Police then opened fire as the army officer brandished his pistol. The army officer was seriously injured and was taken to Cox’s Bazaar Sadar Hospital where on-duty physicians declared him dead.

Cox’s Bazaar Sadar Hospital residential physician Shahin Abdur Rahman told Prothom Alo that the former army officer died prior to reaching the hospital. An autopsy was performed on Saturday morning.

Cox’s Bazaar police superintendent ABM Masud Hossain said residents in Shamlapur had contacted police, alleging that there were robbers in the vehicle. Police then tried to stop the vehicle at the check post. As the passenger of the vehicle endeavored to open fire on police, they retaliated in self-defence. The man was killed in the firing.

The SP also said two cases have already been filed in connection with the incident. Two people were arrested and the pistol was seized. Police later search the vehicle and recovered 50 yaba pills, cannabis, and two bottles of foreign liquor.

It has been learnt after investigation that retired major Rashed had been staying at a resthouse in Himchhari for a month with his four associates for making a documentary, the SP added.

Meanwhile, the home ministry formed a three-member probe body to investigate into the incident on Saturday night.

Cox’s Bazar district magistrate Md Shajahan Ali will be the convener of the committee.

The committee has been asked to submit the investigation report within seven days.