6 killed in Bagerhat, Cumilla ‘gunfights’

Four suspected robbers and two alleged drug traders were killed in what the law enforcers called 'gunfight' in Bagerhat and Cumilla districts early Wednesday, reports UNB.

In Bagerhat, four suspected robbers were killed in a 'gunfight' with members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) at Jongrakhal in the Sundarbans in Monglaupazila early Wednesday.

One of the deceased was identified as Hasan, ringleader of infamous 'Hasan Bahini'.

Tipped off, a team of RAB conducted a drive in the Sundarbans under Chandpai range in the dead of night, said RAB legal and media wing director Mufti Mahmud Khan.

Sensing presence of the elite force members, the members of robber gang 'Hasan Bahini' opened fire on RAB men, forcing them to fire back.

Four robbers including the ringleader of 'Hasan Bahini', Hasan, were killed during the exchange of gunfire, he said.

Eleven arms and some sharp weapons were recovered from the spot.

In Cumilla, two 'drug traders' were killed in a reported gunfight with members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at Natapara bordering area in Chouddagram upazila early Wednesday.

The deceased were identified as Selim Mia, 47, son of Ali Ahmmed and Rubel, 33, son of Golam Mostafa of Shalutia upazila. They were wanted in a number of cases.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of BGB conducted a drive in the area around 1:00am, said lieutenant colonel Abu Mohammad Mohiuddin, commanding officer of BGB-10.

Sensing the presence of the BGB men, the criminals opened fire on them which forced the border guards to fire back in self-defense.

Two 'drug traders' were caught in the line of fire and sustained bullet wound. Later they were taken to a local hospital where doctors declared them dead, he added.

In another incident, two suspected robbers were injured in another incident of 'gunfight' with BGB men in Adrasha Sadar upazila on Tuesday midnight.

The injured -- Bakul Mia of Narayanganj and Abdul Karim of Kurigram district -- were taken to a local hospital.

BGB members recovered 5850 yaba tablets from the two spots.

According to the human rights organisation, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), at least 421 people were killed in alleged gunfights, crossfires or shootouts with the law enforcement agencies in 2018.

In the first four months of 2019, the number of such killing was at least 115, the rights body said on its website.