Drug peddler killed in Noakhali gunfight: Police

An alleged drug peddler was killed in a reported gunfight with police in Chatkhil upazila of Noakhali early today.

The deceased -- Sayem Feroz (41) -- was accused in 12 cases, including drugs, arms and robbery, filed with Chatkhil Police Station, said Alamgir Hossain, superintendent of Noakhali police.

Anwarul Islam, officer-in-charge of Chatkhil Station, said a police team launched a drive in Khilpara area around 2:00am after receiving information that some men were smuggling a consignment of drugs in the area.

Sensing the police team's presence, the gang of drug peddlers, including Sayem, opened fire at the law enforcers, prompting them to fire back in ''self-defence'', the police official said.

At one stage, Sayem suffered bullet injuries while his cohorts managed to flee the scene.

He was rushed to Chatkhil Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead around 4:00am, said the OC.

The man was the son of late Khorshed Alam alias Manik Patwari of Gobindapur village in Chatkhil upazila, our Naokahli correspondent reports, quoting the police official.

Three policemen, including sub-inspector Jasim Uddin and ASI Emran Ali, were also injured in the gun battle, he claimed.

Besides, two firearms, 15 rounds of cartridge and 400 yaba pills were recovered from the spot, added the OC.