6 killed in ‘gunfights’ in 5 districts
Two alleged drug traders and four suspected robbers were killed in separate incidents of what the law enforcement call gunfight in five districts early Tuesday, according to UNB.
According to the accounts of the law enforcers, the standard story line of three separate events is: the gunfights ensued after the deceased and their cohorts opened fire on the law enforcers and the latter retaliated in their self defence when the law enforcers were conducting drives.
In case of two other incidents, the law enforcement claimed that the alleged gunfights took place between two groups of robbers.
The law enforcement’s versions of the events, however, could not be verified independently as no versions of the incidents were available immediately either from any witness or from the victim’s family.
With the latest killing, about 150 people were killed in 'gunfights' with members of law enforcement agencies while some 40 bodies of suspected drug traders were recovered after reported gun battles between rival groups during the countrywide anti-narcotic drives since 15 May.
In Jashore, as UNB reports, two suspected robbers were killed in a 'gunfight' between two groups of robbers on Pulerhat-Rajganj road in Gangulia Jamtola area of Monirampur upazila in the morning.
The identity of the deceased could not be known immediately.
Hearing gunshots, sub-inspector Ainuddin, in-charge of Khedapara police camp, went to the spot and found two bodies, said Mokarram Hossain, officer-in-charge of Monirampur police station.
Later, the bodies were recovered around 6:00am and sent those to local hospital morgue for autopsy.
Police also recovered four sharp weapons used for robbery from the spot, he added.
The OC claimed the robbers were killed in a gunfight between two groups of robbers.
In Chapainawabganj, a suspected robber was killed in a reported gunfight with members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Mohammadpur area of Shibganj upazila around 1:30 am.
The identity of the deceased could not be known immediately.
When a patrol team of RAB reached in the area, a gang of robbers opened fire on them, prompting them to fire back, triggering the gunfight, according to a RAB press release.
In Narail, another suspected robber was killed in the reported gunfight with Police in Kochubaria area of Lohagara upazila around 3:00am.
Police also recovered a one shooter gun, two round bullets and two sharp weapons from the spot, said Prabir Kumar Biswas, officer-in-charge of Lohagara police station.
In Natore, Ahadul Islam, a suspected drug trader was killed in a reported gunfight with RAB members in Bijaypur area of Lalpur upazila early Tuesday.
When a patrol team of RAB reached in the area, a gang of drug traders opened fire on them, forcing them to retaliate that triggered the gunfight, said Major Shibli Mostafa, commander of RAB-5.
At one stage, Ahadul received bullet and injured critically.
Later, he was taken to Lalpur Upazila Health Complex where the duty doctors declared him dead.
Ahadul was wanted in several drug-related cases, said the RAB official.
The elite force team also recovered arms, bullet and drugs from the spot.
In Narayanganj, Alamgir, 38, another alleged drug trader was killed in a reported gunfight with RAB in Phirojpur area of Sonargaon upazila around 6:00am.
The elite force members also recovered a foreign made pistol, two round bullets and 1520 pieces of yaba pills from the spot, said ASP Bellal Hossain of RAB-11.
Two RAB members were also injured, he added.