2 ‘criminals’ killed in Comilla ‘shootout’

Two alleged criminals, accused in a case filed for snatching pistol from a policeman after shooting him, were killed in a ‘shootout’ with police at Alekharchar in Comilla Sadar upazila this morning.

The deceased were identified as Rabbi, 20, a resident of

Doulotpur village of the same upazila, and Jony, 25, of Ashoktola.

Three pistols, including that one which was snatched from Firoz, a sub-inspector of Detective Branch of police, were recovered from their possession.

Police said being tipped-off that a gang of criminals gathered in the area, a team of the detectives launched a drive in the area about 10:30am.

Sensing danger, the armed hoodlums, who were fleeing on a motorcycle, fired gunshots targeting the law enforcers, forcing them to fire back that triggered a gunfight.

Rabbi, Jony and two policemen received bullet wounds during the exchange of fire.

The injured were taken to Comilla Medical College Hospital where doctors declared Rabbi dead while Jony succumbed to his injuries at the same hospital in the afternoon, said Manirul Islam, officer-in-charge of DB.

A gang of criminals shot Firoz Hossain, a sub-inspector of the Detective Branch of police, while snatching a pistol from him at Jhautola in the city on Thursday.

SI Samsuddin Chowdhury, in-charge of city’s Kandirpar police camp, filed a case against Jira Sumon, Rabbi, Jony and Sabuj with Kotwali Model Police Station in this connection tonight.