2 'criminals' killed in Pabna, Jessore 'gunfights'

Two alleged criminals were killed in separate incidents of ‘gunfights’ with police and members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in Pabna and Jessore districts early today.

In Pabna, deceased, Jaharul Islam, alias Hathkata Jahrul, was killed in a ‘gunfight’ with the elite force around 1:45am after a Rab-12 patrol team approached the robber group at Ishwardi, and sensing their presence the criminals opened fire at the law enforcers, prompting them to retaliate with gunshots.

Later, Rab members took him to Pabna Sadar Hospital where duty-doctor declared him dead. His cohorts fled the scene.

The law enforcers recovered a foreign-made revolver, three bullets and a machete from the place.

Jaharul was the chief of the extremist and robber group ‘Johurul Bahini’ had nine cases against him including murder and robbery filed with different police stations in Pabna and Sirajganj districts, claimed the elite force.

In Jessore, a drug peddler was killed in a gunfight between two groups of criminals and cops at a date orchard in Taraf Nauapara early today.

On information, a team of police went to the spot around 1:00am and fired ten rounds of bullet to disperse the criminals, reports UNB.

Later, police detained bullet injured Abu Taleb, around 2:00am and rushed him to Jessore Medical College Hospital, said Ilias Hossain, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station.

Doctors there declared him dead.

Police also recovered one pipe gun and two rounds of bullets from the scene, said Sub-inspector of Kotwali Police Station Rakibuzzaman.

Taleb who had long been involved in drug peddling in the area was wanted in several cases, said police.