2 more ‘drug peddlers’ killed in ‘gunfight’

Two more alleged drug peddlers were killed in a reported gunfight with police in Satkhira Sadar upazila early today amid the ongoing countrywide anti-narcotics drive.

The deceased are Delwar Hossain, 41, son of Abdul Goni of Banshdah village in Kolaroa upazila, and Abul Kalam Azad, 45, son of Abul Hossain of Keragacchhi village in the same upazila, reports our Satkhira correspondent.

They were the members of an international drug smuggling syndicate, said Faruk Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station.

Tipped off, a team of Sadar police arrested Delwar and Kalam along with 2 kilogrammes of hemp and 15 bottles of Phensedyl syrups in Banshdaha area last evening, said OC Faruk.

After an interrogation, they confessed that a huge consignment of drugs was supposed to reach Bangladesh from India early today, he said.

Later, the police team along with the two arrestees conducted a drive in Koyer Beel around 2:30am.

Sensing presence of law enforcers, criminals opened fire on police, forcing them to retaliate and triggered a “gunfight”.

At one stage, Delwar and Azad were caught in the line of fire, said the OC, adding that the injured were taken to Satkhira Sadar Hospital where doctors declared them dead.

Five policemen were also injured in the “gun battle”, he said.

Three kg hemp, 20 bottles of Phensedyl, a one shooter gun and one bullet were recovered from the spot.

With this, at least 184 alleged drug peddlers have been killed since the beginning of the countrywide anti-narcotics drive on May 4. Most of them were killed in so-called shootout incidents involving the police and Rapid Action Battalion.