A Rab press release yesterday said Operations Commander of Khulna BCP Mohammad Matiar Rahman, 33, was arrested around 11:00pm on Friday. Following his confessional statement, a Rab team went to Hogladanga in Manirampur upazila of Jessore around 3:10am yesterday to recover hidden arms when Matiar's accomplices ambushed the team. Rab retaliated and Matiar tried to flee during the shootout. He was caught in crossfire and died on the spot, Rab claimed. One pipegun, two shotgun shells and three used bullet shells were recovered from the spot but Matiar's cohorts managed to escape.

Rab said Matiar had several criminal cases filed against him, including murder cases, with different police stations of Khulna and Jessore.

Rab personnel arrested BCP Operations Commander of Jessore Abdur Razzak, 30, around 10:00pm on Friday at Abhaynagar upazila in Jessore, another Rab press release said. Following his information, a Rab team went to Durgapur in the same upazila to recover hidden arms and arrest his cohorts. His gang members opened fire on the team as they reached the area around 3:00am yesterday and Razzak was found dead following the Rab's encounter. He was caught in the line of fire, Rab claimed.

One pipegun, two shotgun shells and two used bullet shells were recovered from the spot while none of the miscreants were caught. Razzak was wanted for several murders and other criminal activities in cases filed with different police stations in Khulna and Jessore.

Meanwhile, another BCP Operations Commander of Narail, Junaid Hossain, 30, was killed in an 'encounter' between the members of his party and Rab around 3:30am. He was arrested at Narail town on Friday.

During interrogations, Junaid told Rab about his hidden arms cache. A Rab team along with Junaid went to Mirzapur area of Sadar upazila in Narail where Junaid's gang men shot at the Rab team forcing them to retaliate. During the gunfight, Junaid tried to escape but he was hit by bullets and died on the spot.

Two pipeguns, four shotgun shells and one used bullet shell were recovered from the spot. Rab however failed to capture any outlaws. Junaid had several criminal cases including murder cases filed against him with different police stations of Jessore and Narail.