Two killed in ‘gunfight’

Two men were killed in a “gunfight” with police at Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar early yesterday.

The dead are Omar Faruk, 19, an inhabitant of Kutupalang Rohingya camp, and Mohammed Rubel, 23, resident of Teknaf.

Pradip Kumar Das, officer-in-charge of Teknaf Model Police Station, claimed Faruk and Rubel were accused in a case filed over trafficking of 49 Rohingyas.

According to the OC, a police team conducted a raid in Katabunia Ghat area of Sabrang union in Teknaf to arrest the duo around 1:00am.

Sensing their presence, the criminals and their cohorts opened fire on policemen, forcing them to retaliate, the OC claimed.

The duo was injured during the “gunfight”. They were rushed to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared them dead, he added.

Three policemen were also injured during the “gunfight”, the OC claimed, adding that they recovered two firearms, 11 bullets and 18 cartridges from the spot.

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