2 killed in 'shootouts'

An alleged criminal and an outlaw were killed in separate 'shootouts' between their cohorts and law enforcers in the capital and Kushtia early yesterday.

The deceased were identified as Amir Ali, 34, and Mojibor Rahman Babu, 38, an operative of the outlawed Gono Mukti Fouz (GMF).

Sources in the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) said Amir Ali was wounded in a shootout between his cohorts and the members of Rap-4 in front of Ibrahimpur Bazar in Kafrul area of the city at about 2:45am.

He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead at about 3:30am, Rab sources said.

When contacted, Officer-in-Charge of Kafrul Police Station told The Daily Star that Amir Ali was a close associate of Taj, a notorious criminal in the area.

The OC also said Amir Ali was known to the people of the area as a notorious criminal and there were several cases against him with Kafrul Police Station.

In Kushtia, GMF cadre Babu was killed in a 'shootout' between his cohorts and police at Kaikhali village in Mirpur upazila at about 2:30am, reports our Kushtia correspondent.

According to police, a joint team of Detective Branch and Mirpur police cordoned off a field at the village where GMF operatives were holding a secret meeting.

Sensing the presence of police, the outlawed cadres opened fire, prompting the law enforcers to retaliate.

Babu was found dead on the spot after the gun battle while his accomplices managed to flee. Police recovered one LG and six bullets from the spot.

According to police, Babu committed a number of crimes including extortion, abduction and robbery.

He was accused in four murders, two abductions, three robberies and a rape case filed with Mirpur Police Station.