‘Drug peddler’ killed in Shariatpur ‘gunfight’

A suspected drug peddler was killed in an alleged gunfight with detectives at Bhadrachand in Gosairhat upazila in Shariatpur early today.

The deceased was identified as Ruhul Amin Bahga, 50, son of Moslem Bagha of Char Jushirgaon in the upazila.

On information, a team of Detective Branch of police conducted a drive in the area around 1:30 am, said Abdul Momen, police superintendent of Shariatpur.

Sensing the presence of the DB police, Ruhul along with his associates opened fire on them that forced the law enforcers to fire back in self-defence.

After a brief gun battle, police arrested bullet-hit Ruhul and took him to Sadar Hospital where doctors declared him dead around 3:00am.

Ruhul was wanted in six drug-related cases, said police.

With this, 113 people were killed in 'gunfights' with members of law enforcement agencies while 34 bodies of suspected drug traders were recovered after reported gun battles between rival groups during the countrywide anti-narcotic drives since May 15.