2 killed in Naogaon ‘gunfights’

Two suspected criminals were killed in separate "gunfights" with law enforcers in two upazilas of Naogaon early yesterday.

The dead are Zahidul Islam, 38, from Balukha village of ​​Patnitala upazila and Minhajul Islam, 36, from Tentulia village in Atrai upazila, said Abdul Mannan Mian, superintendent of police (SP) of Naogaon.

Being tipped off that a group of drug dealers were having a secret meeting in Dibar area of Patnitala upazila, a team of detectives raided the area around 2:30am, he said.

Sensing presence of the law enforcers, the criminals opened fire on them, forcing them to retaliate which triggered a "gunfight", said Mannan.

Police later recovered the body of from the spot and took it to Patnitala Upazila Health Complex for an autopsy.

Zahidul was accused in five cases filed with different police stations, SP Mannan said.

In a separate incident, based on information that a group of terrorists were meeting in Tilabuduri area of ​​Atrai upazila, a police team raided the spot around 3:00am.

As the criminals opened fire on law enforcers, a "gunfight" ensued and resulted in the killing of Minhajul, the SP said, adding that he was accused in six cases.