2 ‘muggers’ killed in ‘gunfight’

Two alleged muggers were killed in a “gunfight” with Rab in Tongi Bridge area on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway of Gazipur early yesterday.

The dead are Nannu, 30, and Babu, 25.

Kamruzzaman, assistant director of Rab-1, said police were looking for the two “notorious youths” as they have been committing crimes like extortion and mugging since long.

Every time the law enforcers tried to nab them, they fled by hitting them with knives and blades, he added.

A patrol team of Rab-1 raided the Tongi Bridge area on information that a gang of criminals were mugging people there. Sensing Rab presence, the muggers tried to hide below the bridge. As Rab members approached them, they opened fire, forcing the law enforcers to retaliate, Kamruzzaman claimed.

At one point, the duo sustained bullet injures. Rab rushed them to Ahsanullah Master General Hospital where doctors declared them dead, the Rab official added.

Three members of Rab were also injured during the gunfight, Kamruzzaman said.

Rab also claimed to have recovered one pistol, one bullet, seven mobile phones and four knives from the spot.

The Daily Star, however, could not independently verify any of the Rab claims.