‘Criminal’ killed in ‘gunfight’ with Khulna cops

An alleged criminal was killed in a “gunfight” with police in Phultala upazila of Khulna early today.

The deceased was identified as Sohel Rana, 25, son of Wahab Ali, a resident of Abhoynagar upazila in Jessore district.

Rana was wanted in several cases, including three for murders, said the officer-in-charge of Khulna Detective Branch (DB) of police (name could not be known immediately).

Acting on a tip-off, a team of police conducted a drive in Paigram Kosba of the same upazila and arrested Sohel around 9:00pm yesterday, the OC said.

After interrogation, police along with Sohel conducted a drive in Jugnipasha Telipukur area for recovering firearms around 3:00am today.

Sensing presence of the law enforcers, Sohel’s associates opened fire at police, prompting the law enforcers to fire back, triggering a “gunfight”.

Sohel was caught in the line of fire and injured while his associates managed to flee the scene.

Later, he was taken to Phultala Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead.

Police recovered six hand bombs, one shutter gun and 14 bullets from the spot.