Gunrunner killed in Rab 'shootout'
Our Correspondent, Barisal
A notorious arms and drug dealer was killed during a "shootout" between Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and armed cohorts of the dealer at Kalizira on the outskirts of Barisal city early Sunday morning.The dead was identified as Abdul Azim Howladar alias Fensi Azim, 29. Rab sources claimed a Rab team, on secret information, raided Majid Mia brick kiln at Gurgobari of Jagua under Barisal Sadar Police Station around 3:30am. Realising the presences of law enforcers, Azim's accomplices opened fire on the Rab team and a gun battle ensued. After the exchange of more than 60 bullets, the criminals retreated leaving Azim's body on the spot. Rab recovered two locally made guns and seven bullets from the spot along with the body. Azim's body was sent to Barisal morgue for autopsy. Rab sources claimed Azim was wanted in at least 26 criminal cases including four murder, six robbery and four cases filed in connection with illegal arms dealing. Azim, a resident of Sagordi-Rypatoli, was absconding for a long time. His father Kawsar and brother Oli Howladar are in police custody. Last year Panirul Islam Panir was killed during a shootout between criminals and Rab at the same spot.
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