3 more killed in Teknaf 'gunfight'

Three persons were killed in what the law enforcement called a gunfight with police in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar early Tuesday, reports UNB.

The deceased were Kurban Ali, 30, son of Abdus Shukkur of Noyapara Golapara in the upazila, Abdul Quader, 25, son of Ali Hossain, and Abdur Rahman, 30, son of Sultan Ahmed of KK Para in Teknaf municipality.

Officer-in-charge of Teknaf police station Pradip Kumar Das said a team of police conducted a drive at Maheskhaliapara Noughat in the early hours to arrest accused in a case filed over the trafficking of 15 Rohingyas.

Sensing the presence of police, a group of people opened fire on them forcing law enforcers to fire back in self-defence which triggered a gun battle, he said.

Police found the trio lying on the ground with bullet wounds after the gunfight and took them to Sadar Hospital where the physicians declared them dead, the OC said, claiming that three policemen were also injured in the incident.

Police recovered two guns from the spot, he said.

Injured policemen -- assistant sub-inspector Sayef, and constables Mong and M Shukkur -- were taken to Teknaf Health Complex.

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.