Another man killed in 'gunfight'

A man was killed in what the law enforcement called a gunfight with Detective Branch (DB) of Police in Moddhobarera Bypass area of the district early Sunday.

The deceased was named as Sajal Mia, 28.

Police claimed that he was a drug trader and a mugger who had six cases against him.

On information that several drug traders gathered there, a team of DB police went on a drive in Moddhobarera Bypass area. Sensing the presence of the law enforcement, the criminals opened fire, forcing them to retaliate, said Shah Jamal Akanda, officer-in-charge of the detective branch of the district police.

As the drug traders fled the scene, police found Sajal lying there. He was bullet ridden and taken to the Mymensingh Medical College Hosptial where the doctors declared him dead, he added.

Three daggers and 100 grams of heroin were reportedly recovered from the spot. Policemen Anwar Hossain and Shafiqul Hossain reportedly sustained injuries in the incident.

According to a 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 in Bangladesh 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.