2 killed in Gazipur, Meherpur ‘gunfights’

Two men were killed in what the law enforcers called gunfights with them in Gazipur and Meherpur districts early Friday, reports UNB.

In Gazipur, a suspected robber was killed in a gunfight with Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members at Dumbarichala in Sripur upazila.

Deceased Babul Mia alias 'Babul Dacoit' of Jahangirpur village in the upazila was wanted in 24 cases, the law enforcement said.

Tipped off that a group of robbers were gathering in the area, a team of RAB-1 conducted a drive in the area around 3:00am.

Sensing presence of the elite force members, the robbers opened fire on them, prompting them to fire back that triggered the gunfight.

At one stage, Babul was caught in the line of fire and sustained bullet injuries while the others managed to flee the scene.

Injured Babul was taken to Sripur Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead.

The RAB members recovered a firearm, two rounds of bullets and a huge number of yaba pills from the spot, they said.

In Meherpur, Enamul Haq, 42, was killed in a reported gunfight between two groups of drug dealers at Kazipur village in Gangni upazila.

Tipped off that two groups of drug peddlers were exchanging bullets in the area, a team of police went to the spot around 1:00am and recovered the bullet-hit body of Enamul, said Obaidur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Gangni police station.

Enamul was wanted in six cases, said the OC.

One pistol, two rounds of bullets, and one kg of hemp were recovered from the spot, he added.

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.