Eight robbers held after 'gunfights' with cops

Two alleged robbers were injured in 'gunfights' between their cohorts and police in Rajbari and Moulvibazar districts on Sunday.

In Rajbari, the law enforcers arrested a ringleader of an inter-district robber gang following a 'gunfight' with his cohorts at Kolanagar village in Pangsha upazila on Sunday night, reports our Kushtia correspondent.

Arrestee Syed Abdul Hamid Mandol, 42, son of Syed Ali Mandol of Dudhsor in the upazila, sustained bullet injuries in left hand and right leg during the incident.  He was admitted to Rajbari Sadar Hospital.

Abu Sama Md Iqbal Hayat, officer-in-charge of Pangsha Police Station, said, being informed that a gang of 10/12 was holding a secret meeting at the village to commit robbery, a police team raided the area at around 8:30pm.

Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the robbers fired 4/5 bullets, targeting police.

In retaliation, police fired back, triggering a gunfight that left Hamid injured with bullets.

However, his cohorts managed to flee, said the OC, adding that Hamid is accused in five cases including three for robbery.

The law enforcers also seized a shutter gun and five bullets from the possession of the arrestee, said the OC.

Away in Moulvibazar, an alleged robber and three policemen were injured in a 'gunfight' in Shahbandar area under Sadar upazila the same night, reports our correspondent.

The law enforcers also arrested seven robbers--Jamir Hosain, 23, Jilu Miah, 30, Iqbal Hosain, 28, Sahadat Hosain, 22, Jakir Hosain, 26, Faruq Miah, 45, and Mukul Miah, 26, of the district--from the spot.

The injured policemen are Sub-Inspector M Abul Hashem, constables Zia and Shankar of Sadar Police Station.

Police said on a tip-off that a gang gathered in the area for committing robbery, a police team raided there at around 10:00pm.

Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the robbers started firing at the police who also retaliated by firing back. The four were injured during the gunfight.

The law enforcers later arrested seven robbers with a pipegun, seven bullets, seven machetes and a Chinese axe.

A case was filed with the police station under the Arms Act, said Assistant Superintendent of Police SM Sirajul Islam.