In Barisal, Panirul Islam Talukdar, 29, was killed in Rab 'crossfire' while there are allegations that the victim was tortured to death before the body was brush-fired, reports our Barisal correspondent.

Major Zamil of Rab-8 in Barisal said they arrested Panirul Islam following information from the house of Rafiqul Islam at Rupatali in the city early Sunday.

The house was used as a mini brothel and a shelter of the criminals, the Rab official said, adding that Panir was an illegal arms dealer and accused in a dacoity case in Nalchhity Police Station under Jhalakathi district and several cases in Barisal Kotwali Police Station.

On Sunday night, Rab went to recover arms at Rupatali Battala Gurgobari Pole area of Barisal city following Panir's statement, Rab said, adding that Panir tried to flee away after his associates engaged in a gunfight with the Rab team.

When local people recovered Panir's brush-fired body in the presence of Rab from a water-filled ditch in the area on Monday morning, there were injury marks on different parts of the body and a hand was broken.

A revolver, a pipe-gun, and nine live and used bullets were found on the spot, sources said.

Kotwali police sent the body to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

Locals said they did not witness any incident of crossfire.

Officer-in-Charge of Barisal Kotwali Police Station Zillur Rahman also failed to substantiate the Rab allegations against the victim.

Journalists were not allowed to visit Panir in Rab camp during the press briefing before his death on Sunday night and Rab personnel were seen busy in medical treatment of an unknown prisoner at that camp.

Panir was tortured to death in Barisal Rab camp and to cover the marks on the body, it was brush-fired and thrown into a ditch, the victim's family said.

Panir had extramarital affairs with Anima, wife of Rafiqul Islam, sources said.

The victim's brother Manirul Islam said Panir was never accused in any criminal case and he would go to court for justice for the killing of his brother.

A cadre of outlawed Biplobi Communist Party (BCP) was killed in 'crossfire' with Rab at village Bangshitala in Sadar upazila in the district early yesterday, our Kushtia correspondent reports.

The dead was identified as Mahidul Islam alias Milon, 36, of Dhalnagar in Kumarkhali upazila in the district.

After Milon's arrest at Bangshitala on Saturday night, he was brought to Kushtia Rab office and interrogated, Rab said, adding that Milon gave information about his accomplices and hidden firearms.

When a Rab team took Milon to Bangshitala village to nab his accomplices and seize his hidden firearms at about 4:30am yesterday, the BCP operatives opened fire on the Rab men who retaliated.

During the gunfight that followed, Milon tried to escape and died in crossfire, police said, adding that Milon was accused in seven cases including four for murder.

Police seized a shutter gun and 10 bullets from the scene.