2 Kushtia ‘outlaws’ killed in ‘gunfight’

Two people believed to be top cadres of banned outlawed party Gono Mukti Fouz were killed in an alleged gunfight with law enforcers in Kushtia Sadar upazila early today.

Deceased Akam Uddin Hia, 25, son of Ansar Sheikh, and Liakat Ali, 30, son of Abdul Jalil, were locals of the upazila, our Kushtia correspondent reports.

Akam was accused in four cases including two murder cases and Liakat was accused of eight cases including three murder cases, said Zoynal Abedin, additional superintendent of police in Kushtia.

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab)-12 cracked down Swastipur area around 3:00am upon a tip-off on a secret meeting of the outlawed party, Mosaddek Ibne Mujib, Rab-12 commanding officer told The Daily Star.

Sensing presence of the elite force, they opened gunfire. Rab members were compelled to fire back. Akam and Liakat came in the line of fire. They were pronounced dead after being rushed to Kushtia General Hospital.

Four firearms and 14 bullets were said to have been recovered from the spot.