‘Criminal’ killed in Gazipur ‘gunfight’

An alleged criminal was killed in a “gunfight” with police in Tongi of Gazipur early today.

Deceased Jewel alias Bagha Jewel was son of Sentu Miah, a resident of Salimganj village in Banchharampur upazila of Brahmanbaria district.

According to police, Jewel was wanted in eight cases including murder.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of police conducted a drive at Tistar gate area of Tongi to arrest Jewel when he along with his associates was staying there around 3:00am, said Firoz Talukder, officer-in-charge of Tongi Police Station.

Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, accomplices of Jewel opened fire, forcing police to fire back that triggered a gunfight between them.

Jewel received bullet injuries during the gunfight while his associates managed to flee the scene, OC Firoz added.

Police arrested Jewel and took him to National Institute for Traumatology and Orthopedic Rehabilitation (Nitor), popularly known as Pangu Hospital, where the on-duty doctors declared him dead.

Three policemen, including Assistant Sub-Inspector Biplob Miah, were injured during the gunfight.

Police recovered one pistol, some sharp weapons and three bullets from the spot.