2 Rohingya men killed in ‘gunfight’

Two Rohingya men, suspected of being drug peddlers, were killed in a “gunfight” with members of Border Guard Bangladesh in Ukhia upazila of Cox’s Bazar early yesterday. 

The dead are Siddiq, 30, and Shahjahan, 36, inhabitants of Balukhali Rohingya Camp, said BGB. 

Lt Col Ali Haider Azad, commanding officer of 34th BGB Battalion, said one of their patrol teams encountered a group of drug peddlers. 

Sensing their presence, the group of criminals opened fire, forcing the BGB men to retaliate. At one point of the “gunfight”, the duo was found lying on the ground with bullet wounds. They were then sent to Ukhia Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared them dead, the BGB official claimed. 

BGB also claimed to have recovered 40,000 yaba pills and a locally made pistol from the spot. 

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

Two cases were filed with Ukhia Police Station in connection with the incident.