5 including 2 Rohingyas killed in separate ‘gunfights’ in Cox’s Bazar, Sundarbans

Five people including two alleged Rohingya drug traders were killed in separate “gunfights” with law enforcers in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar and at Chandpai Range in the Sundarbans today.

In Cox’s Bazar, a “gunfight” between suspected drug traders and police left two people dead in Leda camp area of Teknaf around 2:00am.

The deceased were identified as Muhammad Alam, 35, of Nayapara Refugee camp and Muhammad Rafiq, 20, of Jadimura Refugee camp in the upazila.

Pradip Kumar Das, officer-in-charge of Teknaf Police Station, said Alam and Rafiq were detained by police from their respective camps Sunday evening.

Based on their information, police along with Alam and Rafiq conducted a drive in the area. But sensing their presence, the cohorts of Alam and Rafiq started firing targeting the police personnel forcing the law enforcers to fire back.

After police fired 40 round bullets, the gang managed to flee the scene.

Later, the police found Rafiq and Alam with bullet wounds and took them to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared them dead, said the OC.

Two police officers were also injured during the “gunfight”, the police official said.

Police also recovered 2,200 yaba tablets, two locally made guns, seven bullets and Tk 6.56 lakh in cash from the spot.

In Sundarbans, three alleged robbers were killed in a reported gunfight with members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) at Chandpai Range.

Identities of the deceased could not be known immediately, our Bagerhat correspondent reports quoting Maj Md Shamim Sarder, company commander of Rapid Action Battalion-6 (Rab).

According to Rab, the “gunfight” took place in Khonta Kodail canal area of Pashur river, that left the trio and a Rab personnel injuried during the incident.

Tipped-off, Rab men conducted a raid in the area. The criminals tried to flee by spraying bullets on the Rab men. The lawmen retaliated with gunfire, he said.

After the battle subsided, the trio was found lying on the spot. They were declared dead when taken to Mongla Upazila Health Complex, the Rab officer said.

A pipe gun, a shooter gun and four local weapons were recovered from the scene.