‘Drug trader’ killed in Noakhali ‘gunfight’

An alleged drug trader was killed in a reported gunfight with police in Noakhali’s Chatkhil upazila early today.

The deceased was identified as Monir Hossain, 36, son of Nuruzzaman, of Parkot area in the upazila.

Monir was accused in at least 16 cases including drug-related filed with different police stations, our Noakhali correspondent reports quoting police.

Three policemen were injured during the “gunfight” that took place at Hatpukuria, said Anwarul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Chatkhil Police Station.  

Police arrested Monir from the upazila headquarters yesterday evening and took him to Hatpukuria to recover arms and drugs, said the OC.

Suddenly, associates of Monir attacked police in a bid to snatch him from the law enforcers, the police official said.

At one stage, the opened fire, forcing the lawmen to retaliate, triggering a gunfight, he added.

After the gunfight, police found bullet-hit Monir on the ground. But his cohorts managed to flee the scene, OC Anwarul said.

He was rushed to Noakhali General Hospital, where doctors declared him dead, he said.

A locally made firearm, four bullets and 50 yaba tablets were seized from the spot.