13 ‘robbers’ killed in ‘gunfights’ with cops

At least 13 suspected bandits of a gang were killed in separate "gunfights" with police in Paikgachha and Dakop upazilas of Khulna on Sunday.
Two of the dead were identified as Karim and Avi while identities of the others could not be known, reports our Khulna correspondent.
All the deceased were members of a robbery gang, locally known as Kashem Bahini, said Abdul Khalek, second officer of Paikgachha Police Station.
The robbers were trying to abduct a college teacher Prashanta at Jirbunia in Paikgacha upazila around 4:30am, the official said. “The locals informed police immediately.”
The locals caught two “robbers” -- Karim and Avi -- while they were fleeing, he added. “Police were escorting them to custody when their cohorts attacked with guns.”
“Police were prompt in action retaliating with gunfire. Two robbers, Karim and Avi, died in gunfight on the spot. 11 of their cohorts were caught,” he added.
Police accompanied the 11 detainees into a crackdown on the den of the Kashem Bahini in Kalabogi area near the Sundarbans around 11:00am, Abdul Khalek said.
Sensing the presence of police, the other gang members opened live gunfire. The law enforcers retaliated, triggering a 45-minute “gunfight”.
After the battle, the 11 people were found dead on the spot. Second Officer Abdul Khalek said that the deceased were those detained during the first gunfight.
Police recovered 17 foreign pistols, 57 rounds of live bullets and a trawler, used for robbery purpose, from the area, the official added.