Notorious pirate gang leader Faruk killed?

Notorious pirate gang leader Faruk Sarder was killed in a recent encounter with police on the Meghna and the body was washed away downstream, two of his arrested associates told police on Saturday.

Faruk's pirate gang, known as Faruk Bahini, maintains links with ruling party men, they also said during interrogation.

But police could not find Faruk's body and did not confirm that he was killed.

Tipped-off, detective police arrested speedboat owner Delwar from Barisal launch terminal at about noon on Saturday.

Acting on his confession, police immediately raided Vatikhana area and arrested alleged Faruk Bahini member Alam Sarder from Munshibari.

Delwar told police that four days ago, he rented a speedboat to Faruk, Jahangir and another pirate gang leader at Tk 600 per day after they were introduced to him by JCD (Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal) leader Zehad.

Since then he knew nothing about the speedboat and its driver.

Police said Alam told them that Faruk was killed in a gunfight with police on the Meghna four days ago and his body was washed away downstream.

Police officials of Barisal and Bhola are jointly interrogating the two and examining their statements.

Police also suspect that the statement of Faruk's associates could be false and an attempt to save him.