2 'robbers' killed in 'shootout'

Two alleged robbers were killed in a “gunfight” with police in Kushtia's Daulatpur upazila early yesterday.

The dead were identified as Mofazzel Hossain alias Mufa Dakat, 42, and Mahabul Islam, 40, both from the same upazila.

Nazrul Islam, officer-in-charge of Daulatpur police, said a team of law enforcers raided the Katdah field on information that robbers were holding a meeting there around 4:30am.

“Sensing the presence of police, the robbers opened fire on them,” the OC said, adding that the gunfight ensued when police returned fire. 

At one stage, the alleged robbers fled the scene and the police found two bodies on the spot.

Law enforcers also claimed to have recovered two firearms, four bullets and two sharp weapons from the scene.

According to the OC, Mofazzel was accused in seven robbery cases and Mahabul in six, all filed with Daulatpur police.

In Pabna, police claimed to have arrested a drug peddler with bullet wounds after a gunfight with law enforcers at Chatmohar upazila early yesterday.

Abdullah alias Jahid, 30, is receiving treatment at Pabna General Hospital for the wound in his left leg.

OC of Chatmohar police Nasir Uddin said they first arrested Jahid in Ankutia Taherer Mor area on Monday evening. Later, they took him to Mathurapur area around 3:00am yesterday to arrest his associates.

Sensing the presence of police, the criminals opened fire on the law enforcers, who retaliated in self-defence. Jahid received bullet wounds during the “gunfight”, while his accomplices fled the scene, the OC claimed, adding that two policemen also suffered injures.

Police claimed to have recovered a firearm, two bullets and 20 bottles of phensedyl from the spot.

Jahid is accused in at least 12 cases mostly for drug peddling, police said.