3 killed in 'shootouts'
Star Report
A top leader of Biplobi Communist Party (BCP) Lal Pataka faction and two members of outlawed Purba Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) ML-Lal Pataka faction were killed in 'encounters' between their accomplices and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in the early hours yesterday in Jessore and Naogaon. The slain in Jessore was identified as Rafiqul Islam alias Lanu Molla, son of Hamid Molla of Shubhorara village under Abhoynagar upazila in Jessore, reports our Khulna correspondent. Rab 6 in a press release said Rab captured Rafiqul while he and his accomplices were planning to carry out subversive activities in a secret meeting. Later, Rab took Rafiqul along to recover illegal firearms at Shubhorara village and at around 2:30am came under fire from Rafiqul's cohorts that prompted them to return fire. Rab shot 30 bullets during the 16-minute long shootout. Rafiqul was shot during the 'encounter' and died on the spot, claimed Rab. A revolver, two pipe guns and three revolver bullets were recovered from the scene, said the press release. Several criminal cases including four for murder were filed against Rafiqul with different police stations of Khulna, Jessore and Narail. Other allegations against him are extortion and robberies. Meanwhile in Naogaon, two listed terrorists of PBCP were killed in an encounter between their cohorts and Rab at Kashiabari village under Atrai upazila early morning Sunday, reports UNB. The dead were identified as Sohel, 30, son of Hurmat Ali and Pintu, 35, son of Abdur Rouf of Noidighi village of the same upazila. Rab sources said Sohel and Pintu were wanted in the many criminal cases including the sensational Noidighi six-murder case. Members of Rab 5 arrested Sohel and Pintu from the capital on Friday evening, Rab sources said. Later, they took the two terrorists to Rajashahi for interrogation. Rab along with the two went to Kashiabari village at around 4:00am to capture their accomplices and seize hidden firearms. As soon as Rab reached the spot, other members of the terrorist outfit opened fire at Rab triggering a gun battle. Sohel and Pintu were shot during the 'shootout' while fleeing Rab custody and died on the spot," claimed Rab. Later, Rab sent the bodies to Sadar Hospital for their autopsy. A shutter gun, a pipe gun, a bullet and a homemade sharp weapon were recovered from the scene.
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