'Robber' killed in 'gunfight' with police

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

The dead is Rahat Hossain, 32, of Bujruk-Shontoshpur village in the upazila.

Humayun Kabir, officer-in-charge of Mithapukur Police Station, said on information, police arrested Rahat at his home around 10:30pm Sunday.

Based on information gleaned from Rahat, police went to recover firearms. They took Rahat with them. When the police van reached near a bridge of Bheluarmor around 5:00am, some robbers opened fire to snatch him.

Police then returned fire, triggering the "gunfight". At one stage, Rahat was caught in the line of fire and died on the spot, said the OC.

Police also claimed to have recovered a firearm and four bullets from the spot.

The OC said Rahat stood accused in 10 cases, including robbery and murder.