Man, accused of shooting police, killed in 'shootout'

A man, who stood accused in shooting two policemen, was killed in a "gunfight" with police in Atghoria upazila of Pabna early yesterday.

The dead, Sharif Hossain, 30, of Gaspara village in Pabna Sadar upazila, was one of the key accused of shooting two on-duty policemen in Dangergram area in Atghoria upazila.

On Wednesday, finding that a car was being driven suspiciously, on-duty policemen in Dangergram signalled the car driver to halt, the vehicle stopped. Criminals got down from it and one of them fired shots at police. They then fled the spot, leaving the car, police said. 

Later, two separate cases were filed against five people, including Sharif, with Atghoria Police Station in this connection.

Faruk Hossain, officer-in-charge of the police station, said police raided Sutirbeel area around 3:00am, acting on a tip-off that the accused took shelter there.

Sensing presence of the law enforcers, the criminals opened fire. The law enforcers then returned fire, triggering the "gunfight", the OC said.

Sharif suffered bullet injuries during the gun battle and was rushed to Atghoria Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead, the police official added.

Police claimed that three policemen were also injured during the "gunfight" and took first aid at the upazila health complex. They also claimed to have recovered a firearm, two bullets and two sharp weapons from the spot. 

However, victim's brother Abdul Mazid said Sharif was a driver and alleged that his brother was picked up from Rajbari a couple of days ago.

Refusing the allegation, Jihadul Kabir, superintendent of Pabna police, said they were not aware of that. Sharif was killed in the "gunfight".