7 more killed in alleged gunfights

As the nationwide drive against drug trading continues, seven more suspected drug peddlers were killed in separate incidents of reported gunfights in Cumilla, Jamalpur, Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kushtia, and Feni early Wednesday.

According to the news agency UNB, 48 people were killed in ‘gunfights’ across the country since 12 May.

Two people were killed in Kushtia while one each in Cumilla, Jamalpur, Rangpur, Feni and Gaibandha districts.

In Cumilla, Nurul Absar Isa, a top listed drug peddler was killed in reported gunfight between his cohorts and police in Gumti embankment area of Adarsha Sadar upazila early Wednesday.

Read More: ‘Crackdown on drug peddlers to continue’

Police arrested Nurul on Tuesday.

Following the information provided by the arrestee, a police team, led by additional superintendent of Cumilla police (sadar circle) Tanvir Salehin, conducted a drive in the area to recover drugs, said Abu Salam, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Model police station.

Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, according to the law enforcement the associates of Nurul opened fire to police, forcing them to retaliate that triggered a gunfight.

Nurul was wanted in seven cases filed with different police stations, said the OC.

In Jamalpur, a suspected drug peddler was killed in a ‘gunfight’ with police at Sankanda, said Nasimul Islam, officer-in-charge of Sadar police station.

The identity of the deceased could not be known immediately.