2 killed in ‘gunfights’ with law enforcers

An alleged drug peddler was killed in a "gunfight" with Rab in Panchbibi upazila of Joypurhat early yesterday.

The dead is Rabiul Islam Mintu, 40, son of Abdul Jalil, of Uttar Gopalpur village in Joypurhat Sadar upazila.

Mohaimenur Rashid, commanding officer of Rab-5 in Joypurhat, said Mintu was made accused in at least 19 cases with different police stations. Drug peddling, abduction and attacking the BGB members were some of the charges brought against him.

According to the Rab officials, a team conducted an anti-drug raid near Sluice Gate at Ratanpur village in Panchbibi upazila around 3:30 am. Sensing their presence, the drug dealers' gang opened fire, forcing them to retaliate.

At one point of the "gunfight", Rab members found Mintu's body lying on the ground while rest of the gang members managed to flee.

The body was sent to Joypurhat Modern Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Two members of Rab were also injured during the "gunfight", Rab claimed.

Rab also claimed to have recovered two pistols, a one-shooter gun, eight bullets, two magazines, 200 pieces of yaba pills and 502 bottles of Phensidyle from the spot.

Meanwhile, in Cox's Bazar, another suspected drug peddler was killed in a "gunfight" with police on Teknaf-Cox's Bazar Highway around 4:00 am yesterday.

The dead is Imam Hossen, 30, of Hnila union of the district.

While describing the "gunfight" incident, Pradip Kumar Das, officer-in-charge of Teknaf Police Station, echoed the statement of CO Rashid in Joypurhat.

Three policemen were injured during the "gunfight", he said.

He also claimed to have recovered one locally made gun, three bullets and 20,000 yaba pills.

The Daily Star, however, could not independently verify any of the law enforcers' claims.

Our Dinajpur and Cox's Bazar correspondents contributed to this report.