2 killed in ‘gunfights’ in Cox’s Bazar, Jashore

Two men were killed in "gunfights" with police in Cox's Bazar and Jashore early yesterday.

The dead are Sazzad Hossain, prime accused in a murder-rape case in Cox's Bazar and Babu, accused in 12 cases related to arms, explosives and drugs in Jashore, said police.

AKM Safiqul Alam Chowdhury, inspector (investigation) of Chakaria Police Station, said locals in Pekua upazila of Cox's Bazar caught Sazzad and handed him over to them.

During primary interrogation, Sazzad admitted that he raped an 18-year-old woman at gunpoint and then killed her by pushing her off a speeding vehicle, he added.

On information, a police team, along with Sazzad, conducted a raid in Morongkhali area on Chakaria-Banshkhali regional road around 3:00am to recover the gun, the inspector claimed.

As soon as they reached the area, cohorts of Sazzad opened fire, forcing the law enforcers to retaliate, he further claimed, adding that Sazzad's bullet-hit body was later found lying on the ground there.

Three policemen were also injured during the "gunfight" and they were undergoing treatment at Chakaria Upazila Health Complex, the police official said.

Police also claimed to have recovered two long barrel firearms and some ammunitions from the spot.

The body was sent to Cox's Bazar General Hospital for autopsy and police were preparing to file up three cases in connection with the incident, Safiqul said.

Meanwhile, Tasmim Alam, inspector (investigation) of Kotwali Police Station in Jashore, claimed they launched a drive in Sarapole area of Sadar upazila around 2:00am on information that a group of drug peddlers was gathering there for trading drugs.

Sensing police presence, the drug peddlers opened fire, prompting the law enforcers to fire back in self-defense, he added.

Babu suffered bullet injuries during the "gunfight" while others managed to flee the scene, he further added.

The injured man was taken to Jashore General Hospital where doctors declared him dead, the inspector said.

Mohammad Swapon, a physician of the hospital, told our Benapole correspondent that the man, who received bullets in his head, had died before he was taken to the hospital.

Two policemen were also injured in the "gunfight" and they were admitted to a police hospital, said the police official.

Police also claimed to have recovered a one shooter gun, 200 yaba tablets and 54 bottles of phensidyl from the spot.

The Daily Star, however, could not independently verify the police claims.