Drug dealer killed in shootout

An alleged drug smuggler was killed and five policemen injured in a "gunfight" between a gang of smugglers and police in Konabari area of Kasba upazila in Brahmanbaria early yesterday morning.

The deceased was Rohis Miah, 48, son of Ali Fakir of Pathariatek village of the district.

Mohiuddin Ahammed, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kasba Police Station, said tipped-off police raided an abandoned house in the area near Dhaka-Sylhet highway around 3:00am, when the gang members started shooting at them.

A gun battle ensued as police also returned fire, the OC said, adding, Rohis was shot dead on the spot and five members of the police team sustained injuries. 

The associates of the deceased managed to flee and the injured policemen received primary treatment at Kasba Health Complex.

The body has been sent to Brahmanbaria Sadar Hospital for an autopsy.

The law enforcers also recovered a pipe-gun, four rounds of bullets, 100 bottles of liquor, 15 kilograms of hemp and 300 pieces of yaba tablets from the spot, Mohiuddin said.