'Gunfight' kills 1 in city, hurts another in Pabna

A suspected drug dealer was killed in a “gunfight” with police in Paltan area of the capital early yesterday.

The dead is Kamal Hossain, 35. He has several drug related cases against him with Paltan and Ramna police stations, claimed police.

Acting on a tip-off, law enforcers raided the area around 2:00am to recover drugs. Sensing their presence, Kamal and his cohorts opened fire on the police officials, forcing them to retaliate, claimed Syed Ali, sub-inspector of Paltan Police Station.

At one stage of the “gunfight”, Kamal's bullet-ridden body was found on the spot. When rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, doctors declared him dead, the SI added.

Police also claimed to have recovered a pistol, 100 yaba pills and hemp from the spot.

Elsewhere, an alleged robber sustained bullet injuries in both of his legs during a “gunfight” with police in Chandmari area of Pabna's Ishwardi upazila early yesterday.

Police arrested the alleged robber -- Md Abdullah, 35 -- during the “gunfight” and sent him to Pabna Medical College Hospital.

Bahauddin Faruki, officer-in-charge of Ishwardi Police Station, claimed that five policemen, including an assistant superintendent of Pabna police, were injured during the “gunfight”.

Police recovered a gun and two bullets from the spot, the OC claimed, adding that Abdullah was accused in 11 cases related to robbery, murder and other criminal activities.

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

Our Pabna correspondent contributed to this report.