Two Rohingyas among 3 killed in a ‘gunfight’

Three suspected criminals, including two Rohingya refugees, were killed in a “gunfight” with police in Cox’s Bazar early yesterday, a day after they were arrested.

The dead are Mohammad Jamil, 20, Asmat Ullah, 21, and Mohammad Rafique, 24. Of them, Jamil and Asmat were inhabitants of Balukhali Rohingya camp and Rafique hailed from Teknaf upazila, said police.

Pradip Kumar Das, officer-in-charge of Teknaf Police Station, said they arrested the trio on Wednesday. On their information police, along with the three, conducted a drive in Teknaf’s Baharchhara area to recover firearms.

As soon as they reached the area, criminals opened fire, forcing the law enforcers to retaliate, the OC claimed.

During the “gunfight” the three tried to flee the scene. At one point they were caught in the line of fire. Police then rushed them to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared them dead, he added.

Police claimed to have recovered three light guns, six bullets and eight bullet shells from the spot.

The Daily Star, however, could not independently verify the police claims.

Two cases were filed with Teknaf Police Station in connection with the “gunfight”.