2 Rohingya men killed in alleged gunfight with BGB

Two Rohingya men were killed in what the members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) called gunfight with them at Hoaikhyang Urubunia Katakhal in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar early Thursday, reports UNB.

The deceased identified as Sarker, 22, from Kutupalong Rohingya camp and Nur Alam, 30, from Muchni Rohingya camp in Teknaf, were drug peddlers, claims the law enforcement.

A BGB-2 team raided the area after being tipped-off about smuggling of a large amount of yaba, said its deputy commander major Shariful Islam Jamaddar.

The border guard members signalled a boat to stop on the Naf river. But those who were on the boat ignored the signal and opened fire, triggering a gunfight, he said.

“Alam and Sarker were killed in the gunfight,” the BGB officer said.

BGB members recovered the bodies and sent them to the Sadar Hospital for autopsy.

Around 50,000 yaba pills, a gun, three cartridges and two sharp weapons were reportedly recovered from the spot.

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

In the first six months of 2019, the number of such killing was at least 200, the rights body said on its website.