2 robbers killed in 'gunfight' with Rab men

Two members of a Sundarbans robber gang were killed in a so-called gunfight with Rab in the forest yesterday morning.

One of the dead was identified as Sagir, 30, second-in-command of infamous “Daroga Bahini”, according to the elite force. However, the identity of other could not be known immediately.

Acting on a tip-off, a Rapid Action Battalion team raided Shimanar Khal in Chandpai range when the gang was planning to commit a robbery around 6:30am, said Maj Adnan Kabir, deputy commander of Rab-8, who led the drive.

Sensing their presence, the criminals opened fire. The Rab men shot back to retaliate, triggering the “gun battle” that killed the two robbers, he said.

The other robbers fled.

The Rab official claimed that they recovered 12 firearms and some 177 bullets from the spot.

The bodies were sent to Bagerhat Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsies.