Arrested man killed in 'gunfight'

A man was killed in what police called a gunfight with them in Noakhali's Companyganj upazila early Monday, reports UNB.

The deceased was Shahadat Hossain Swapan, 40, son of Belayet Hossain, a resident of Bamni Bazar of Rampur union. Police said he was the leader of an inter-district robber gang and accused in 23 cases.

Arifur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Companyganj police station, said a team of police led by inspector (investigation) Mostafizur Rahman arrested Shahadat from Chowmuhani in Begumganj upazila on Sunday evening.

During interrogation, Shahadat said that his gang members would wait at the village to commit robbery at night, according to the police version.

When a police team reached the spot around 3:00am to arrest other members of the gang, the criminals opened fire on police, triggering a gunfight, said the OC.

Shahadat sustained gunshot wounds during the so-called gunfight. Later, he was taken to Companyganj Health Complex where the physicians pronounced him dead, he added.

Six policemen were also injured, he also said.

Police recovered a pipe gun, nine bullets and sharp weapons from the spot after the alleged gunfight.