Police bust firearms den, arrest one

Police busted a firearm-making den, arrested a man and seized 17 locally made guns and gun-making materials in Raozan upazila of Chattogram early yesterday. 

The arrestee is Md Alamgir of East Raozan area. He was running the den, said police.

He is accused in at least 17 cases filed with Raozan, Panchlaish, and Chandgaon police stations over robbery, murder and illegal use of guns, they added.

The incident took place on a hill called Ghora Samshur Tila at East Raozan around 12am.

“We have seized a variety of guns, cartridges and a huge amount of gun-making materials, which were hidden on the hill,” said Khandakar Golam Faruk, deputy inspector general (DIG) of police for Chattogram range, at a press conference held at the district police lines.

“Following a tip-off, police went to the area to arrest Alamgir. Sensing our presence, Alamgir and his cohorts opened fire,” the DIG said.

Police retaliated by firing shots, which triggered a gunfight. After a short period, they were able to arrest Alamgir from the spot but others managed to escape, he said.

“Sub-inspector Saimul Islam and two constables -- Md Kamal and Md Hamid of Raozan Police Station -- were injured during the gunfight,” the DIG added.

Based on Alamgir’s information, police busted the den on the hill.

Noor-e-Alam Mina, Chattogram superintendent of police, said the injured officers received primary treatment at the upazila health complex.

During primary investigation, the arrestee told police that the firearms were being used for robberies, mugging and murder. Police will try to get more details out of him, Noor-e-Alam said. A case was lodged in this connection.