3 killed in alleged gunfights

Three people, including two suspected criminals and a 'drug dealer', were killed in alleged gunfights with law enforcers in Dhaka, Cumilla and Narayanganj on Thursday, reports UNB.

In Dhaka, a suspected criminal was killed in a 'gunfight' with Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) at Basila Garden City in Mohammadpur.

The deceased is Tanvir Ahmed Anik, 36. RAB said he was the ringleader of notorious criminal gang 'Seven Star group'.

A RAB-2 team raided Basila around 2:45am after being tipped off about the presence of a gang of criminals there, said major Mohammad Ali of RAB-2.

The criminals opened fire as soon as the RAB team reached the area, triggering a gunfight, he said.

Tanvir was killed in the skirmish, the RAB officer said, adding that two members of the elite force were also injured.

A revolver, a shutter gun, five bullets and two sharp weapons were recovered from the spot.

In Cumilla, a suspected drug dealer was killed in a reported gunfight with police at Rajapara South Choumohoni intersection in the city.

The deceased is Tofayel, 23, son Roman alias Sabuj of South Charta area in the city. Police said he was wanted in six cases.

Tipped off, a police team raided the area around 3am, said Mamunur Rashid, officer-in-charge of Sadar Dakkhin police station.

Tofayel and his associates opened fire when police approached the area, triggering a skirmish.

Tofayel sustained gunshot wounds during the 'gunfight', the OC said. He was apprehended and taken to Comilla Medical College Hospital where physicians pronounced him dead.

One light gun, a sharp weapon and four yaba pills were recovered from the spot.

Four policemen were also injured in the incident, police claimed.

In Narayanganj, a suspected criminal, identified as Lipu alias 'Boma Lipu' alias 'Dacoit Lipu', was killed in an alleged gunfight with DB (Detective Branch) police at Tinkoni Shahara Math in Fatullah upazila.

Fatulla police station officer-in-charge Asad Hossain said a team of DB arrested the 35-year-old on Wednesday night and took him with them during a drive to recover firearms around 2:10am.

At one stage, Lipu's associate confronted the DB team and opened fire, leading to a gunfight.

Lipu sustained gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead when taken to Narayanganj Hospital.

He was wanted in 14 criminal cases including that of murder, said police.

Four policemen, including DB officer-in-charge Enamul, were injured in the gunfight.

Police recovered one shutter gun from the spot.

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 five months of 2019, the number of such killing was at least 162, the rights body said on its website.