Two killed in ‘gunfight’ in Satkhira

Two suspected criminals were killed in a “gunfight” with police in Satkhira town early yesterday, hours after they were arrested in a mugging case.

The dead are Mamunur Islam alias Dwip, 22, of Sadar upazila, and Sabur Sardar Saifur Rahman, 33, of Kaliganj upazila, said police. 

Mirza Salauddin, additional superintendent of Satkhira (Sadar circle) police, said the duo was also accused in a murder case. 

According to the cop, a team of police detained the two for their alleged involvement in looting Tk 26 lakh from a local bKash agent at gunpoint. 

Around 3:00am yesterday, police conducted a raid, along with the duo, near bypass road to recover the firearm. As soon as they reached Kamalnagar intersection, cohorts of the duo opened fire, forcing the law enforcers to retaliate. 

At one point, the duo was caught in the line of fire and died on the spot, said Mostafizur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Satkhira Sadar Police Station. 

The bodies were sent to Satkhira Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. 

Police also claimed to have recovered a one-shooter gun, four bullets, two sharp weapons and a motorcycle without number plate from the spot.

Locals said, the duo was close associates of Syed Sadikur Rahman Sadik, general secretary of Satkhira district unit Chhatara League. 

Right after the news of “gunfight” spread, Sadik wrote on his Facebook post, “Brother, I cannot believe that we would lose you this way. Forgive me if you can. May Allah bless you in heaven.”

Some news outlets also published articles mentioning the duo as Sadik’s bodyguards. 

Contacted, Sadik said, “They were not my bodyguards. They have been my companions since childhood.”