2 killed in 'gunfight' in Dhaka’s Khilkhet: DB

Two alleged muggers were killed in a "gunfight" with detectives in Dhaka's Khilkhet area early today.

The deceased were identified as Enamul, 30, and Md Rasel, 28.

The incident took place around 2:30am when a DB team along with local police chased a group of muggers in an auto-rickshaw, Mashiur Rahman, deputy commissioner of (DB-Gulshan) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said.

The DC said they have been setting up several checkpoints at Khilkhet area to ensure security for people returning to Dhaka as incidents of mugging -- posing as fellow passengers in auto-rickshaw and microbus -- have led to killing and injuring several people before Eid.  

Around 2:15am, as law enforcers signaled an auto-rickshaw at a checkpost, its driver refused to stop and tried to speed away towards Purbachal area. The DB team then informed another team ahead who try to intercept them, putting a microbus on the road, he said.

Then, two of the muggers came out of the auto-rickshaw and started firing at the law enforcers, who fired back in self defence, leaving the men bullet hit, claimed the DC.

They were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where doctors declared them dead.

Detectives claimed to have arrested two more muggers -- Nayan and Yeamin -- and recovered the auto-rickshaw, a pistol, two bullets, a sharp weapon, a scarf and ointment from their possession.

DB officials said this gang along with others used to offer people ride-sharing in their auto-rickshaws and microbuses when they saw commuters waiting due to shortage of public transport during Ramadan and before Eid.

On the way, they used to mug people and many sustained injuries due to their torture. A Dubai expat, who was travelling from Bogura to Dhaka early this month, was strangled by one such gang, law enforcers said. His body was found on Kuril Flyover. 

The arrestees told detectives that they gathered in Tongi area to pick up unsuspecting victims. As they did not find anyone there, they were heading toward Dhaka, DC Mashiur said. 

Nayan and Yeamin said they used to snatch valuables from the victims. If anyone tried to resist, they used to strangle them with a towel or scarf. They used to carry firearms, he said, quoting the arrestees.

They are accused in several cases for mugging, robbery and drugs, the official said.