'Robber' killed in 'gunfight' in Magura

An alleged robber was killed in a "gunfight" with police in Shalikha upazila of Magura early yesterday.

The dead is Obaidur Rahman, 32, of Hatbaria village in the upazila.

According to police, Obaidur stood accused in four robbery cases filed with different police stations in Magura and Jessore. He was the chief of an inter-district robber gang.

Abu Jihad Fakhrul Alam Khan, officer-in-charge of Shalikha Police Station, said around 3:00am, they got information that around eight to 10 robbers blocked Jessore-Magura highway near Ramkantopur bridge by placing logs for committing a robbery.

As soon as police reached the spot, the criminals opened fire on them. The law enforcers then returned fire, triggering the gunfight.

After the gun battle, police found Obaidur lying on the spot, while others fled.

He was rushed to Shalikha Upazila Health Complex where on-duty doctors declared him dead, the police official added.

Police claimed to have recovered a foreign pistol, three bullets, a magazine, and two sharp weapons from the scene. 

Five law enforcers were also hurt during the gunfight, police also claimed.

They took treatment at local clinics.