'Top outlaw' killed in 'shootout'

A “top outlaw” was killed in an alleged shootout with Rapid Action Battalion in Santhia upazila of Pabna early Monday.

Abdur Razzak, 42, of Bilshalangi village in the upazila, was a regional leader of a faction of outlawed Purba Bangla Communist Party, according to Rab.

Bina Rani Das, commander of Rab-12 (Pabna camp), said acting on a tip off that Razzak and his accomplices were preparing for a robbery, a Rab team raided Haludgar Bazar area around 4:00am on Monday.

Sensing Rab presence, the criminals opened fire on them, prompting the law enforcers to retaliate by firing back, leading to a gunfight, Bina said.

Razzak died after being shot but the accomplices escaped, the Rab official said, adding that two of the law enforcers were also hurt in the incident.

Rab also claimed to have recovered some fire arms and sharp weapons from the spot.

According to the force, Razzak, who was in hiding for long, was accused in six murder cases and also convicted in an arms case.

His body was sent to Pabna Medical College morgue for autopsy.