‘Drug dealer’ killed in firing by criminals in Sylhet

An alleged drug dealer was killed in firing by criminals during a raid in Sylhet's Zakiganj upazila early today, police said.

Deceased Abdul Manna alias Munna (35), hailing from Khadiman village, was accused in 12 cases including seven drug-related cases, our Sylhet correspondent reports.

The gunfight happened between 3:30am to 4:00am at Ajorgram village, around one kilometre away from his home, said Meer Md Abu Naser, officer-in-charge of Zakiganj Police Station.

"Police arrested him in connection with a narcotics case yesterday afternoon," the OC said adding that during interrogation Munna gave some information about a large consignment of yaba hidden in his home," the OC said.

He said, "A police team taking him in a police van raided Ajorgram village where a group of suspected criminals opened fire around 3:00am."

"Munna jumped off the police van, tried to run but was shot by several bullets. Then, we also fired gunshots in self-defence," the OC said.

Munna was rushed to the local health complex where doctors declared him dead, the police official said.

He claimed that the police recovered a locally made firearm, five round of bullets, 800 yaba tablets and six sharp weapons from a nearby place.

"Seven policemen were also injured during the incident, but no one is critically injured," he said.

The body has been sent to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College for autopsy.