Reported gunfights kill 4 including 2 Rohingyas

Prothom Alo Illustration
Prothom Alo Illustration

Cox’s Correspondent, Joypurhat Correspondent, Mymensingh Correspondent

Four people, including two Rohingyas, were killed in what the law enforcers called gunfights with them in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar, in Panchbibi upazila of Joypurhat and in Mymensingh early Friday.

In Cox’s Bazar, two Rohingya men were killed in a reported gunfight with members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in Whaikhyang Lambabeel area along Naf river in Teknaf.

The deceased were identified as Abul Hashim, 25, and Nur Kamal, 19, residents of Kutupalong Rohingya Camp.

BGB said they were informed about the smuggling of a huge consignment of yaba from Myanmar around 12:20am. Based on the information a BGB team took position in the area.

A team of 4-5 yaba smugglers entered the Bangladesh territory by a boat. When the law enforcement intercepted them, they opened firing aiming at the BGB men while fleeing. The BGB men then retaliated in self defence.

Later, the BGB added, they found two bullet-injured men on the bank of Naf river and took them to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex. Around 50,000 pieces of yaba pills and local arms were recovered from the scene.

Three BGB men sustained injuries in the incident.

Teknaf upazila health complex emergency department physician Khan A Alam said BGB brought five injured people to the hospital. Two were general people while three were in BGB uniforms.

Two bullet-injured persons were later shifted to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, where they were declared dead, said Teknaf-2 BGB commander lieutenant colonel Mohammad Foysal.

In Joypurhat, a man, Amirul Islam alias Cassette, 45, from Piara village was killed in a reported gunfight with the police in Panchbibi upazila.

The law enforcement claimed the gunfight took place near the Bharahut Fasali ground. Two policemen were injured in the incident, they said.

Panchbibi police station officer-in-charge Munsur Rahman said sensing presence of a patrolling team of police, a gang of eight-nine people opened firing on them in Shirhatti area early Friday. The law enforcement also opened fire to defend them.

Later, they body of Amirul was recovered from a paddy field. Amirul was accused in more than one cases, the OC added.

Police recovered a pistol, seven rounds of bullets, machete, knife and 87 bottles of phensedyl from the spot, the OC claimed.

In Mymensingh, a man was killed in another gunfight with detective branch (DB) of police in Rasulpur area of Gafargaon upazila, police said.

The deceased identified as Abdul Motaleb, 42, from Choyani village, was a robber, local DB officer-in-charge Shah Kamal Akand claimed.

Acting on tip off that a robber gang was preparing for robbery, two DB teams conducted a raid near the Rasulpur regional road. The robbers opened firing as soon as the DB team reached there, prompting them to shot back in self defence.

A robber was found bullet-hit when other members of the gang fled the scene, he added.

The injured was taken to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, where physicians declared him dead.

Police claimed to have recovered one pipegun, 10 cartridges of shot gun and 20 shells from the spot.

According to a human rights body, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), at least 421 people were killed in alleged gunfights, crossfire or shootouts with the law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh in 2018 alone.

In the first eight months of 2019, the number of such killing was at least 264, the rights body said on its website.