‘Robber’ killed in Brahmanbaria ‘gunfight’

An alleged robber was killed in what police claimed a gunfight between his cohorts and law enforcers in Kasba upazila of Brahmanbaria early today.

Deceased Zahirul Islam, 35, of Kayempur village in the upazila, was wanted in six cases, a Brahmanbaria correspondent reports quoting Md Mahiuddin Ahammed, officer-in-charge of Kasba Police Station.

Acting on a tip-off that a gang of robbers were taking preparation to commit robbery in Binauti area, a team of police conducted a drive there around 4:00am, the OC said.

Sensing presence of the law enforcers, the gang members opened fire at them, prompting police to retaliate that triggered a “gunfight”, the police official said.

At one stage, Zahirul was caught in the line of fire and died on the spot while his associates managed to flee, he added.

Police recovered the body and sent it to Brahmanbaria Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy.

A pipe-gun, four cartridges, 12 crude bombs and some sharp weapons were recovered from the spot.