4 people killed in alleged gunfights

Prothom Alo Illustration
Prothom Alo Illustration

Four people were killed in what the law enforcement called gunfights in four separate incidents in Mirpur of the capital, Narayanganj, Sundarbans and Rangpur early Tuesday.

According to UNB news agency, three people were killed in what the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) called gunfight in Mirpur of the capital, Narayanganj and Sundarbans.

The news agency also reported that a suspected robber was killed in an alleged gunfight with police in Hajirhat area of Rangpur city.

According to the accounts of the law enforcers, the standard story line of the separate incidents is similar and which is: the gunfights ensued after the cohorts of the victims opened fire on the law enforcers and the latter retaliated in their self defence when the law enforcers were conducting drives. 

Prothom Alo, however, could not verify the law enforcement’s version of the incident independently as no version of it was available immediately either from any witness or from any member of the victim’s family.

In Dhaka, UNB reports, suspected drug trader Ibrahim Pilot Babu, 35, was killed in a reported gunfight with the elite force members in Beribad area around 4:00am.

In Narayanganj, Nadim, 25, a suspected notorious drug trader was killed in a reported gunfight with RAB members in Rupganj around 2:30am.

With the killing of the two ‘drug peddlers’ at least at least 129 people were killed in what the law enforcement called gunfights with them while 37 bodies of suspected drug traders were recovered after reported gun battles between rival groups since the countrywide anti-narcotic drives began on 15 May.

A suspected forest robber was killed in a reported gunfight with members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Aambaria area under Swarankhola range of Sundarbans on Tuesday morning.

Identity of the deceased could not be known immediately.

RAB Barisal-8 deputy commander Sajibul Islam said a RAB team carried out a drive in the area around 5:00am.

Sensing the presence of the RAB personnel, members of the robbers' gang opened fire on them, forcing the RAB members to retaliate that triggered a gunfight, he said.

Several gunshots were traded between the gang and RAB members during the 25-minute gun battle. One robber was caught in the line of fire and died on the spot, the commander added.

RAB handed over the body to the police and then it was sent to sadar hospital for autopsy, said Kabirul Islam, officer-in-charge of Swarankhola police station.

Two cases were filed against unknown robbers with the police station in this connection, the OC added.

In Rangpur, a suspected robber was killed in a reported gunfight with police in Hajirhat area of Rangpur city early Tuesday.

The deceased was identified as Belal Ahmed, 40, son of Ishhak Ahmed of Uttam Betarpara area and wanted in 18 cases including murder and robbery.

Muktarul Alam, officer-in-charge (investigation) of Kotwali Police Station, said on information that a gang of robbers was taking preparation for committing robbery in the area, a team of police raided there around 3am.

Sensing the presence of police, the robbers opened fire on them, forcing the law enforcers to fire back in self-defence, triggering the gunfight.

The gunfight left the robber dead on the spot, said the OC adding that eight policemen were also injured.

Police also recovered a pistol and two sharp weapons from the spot.