UPDF man killed in gunfight
A member of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) was killed in a gunfight with a patrol team of Bangladesh Army in Rangamati’s Baghaichhari upazila yesterday, ISPR said.
The victim, Sumon Chakma, was an accused in a case filed over the murder of Naniarchar upazila chairman Shaktiman Chakma.
Acting on a tip-off, a patrol team from Rangamati’s Baghaihat army zone launched a drive in Dopata area to arrest criminals, the Inter Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR) said in a press release.
Sensing the presence of the army personnel, criminals opened fire targeting the army members, prompting them to fire.
After the exchange of fire between the two groups continued for four to five minutes, the criminals were forced to step back, the press release said.
“In the gunfight, Sumon Chakma, a top armed criminal of UPDF [main group] was killed,” said the ISPR, adding that it believed more than one criminals were wounded in the drive.
The situation in the area is under the control of the security force. Similar drives will continue to maintain law and order in the area in future, it said.
Israfil Majumder, officer-in-charge of Sajek Police Station, said that after the incident around 11:00am, police recovered the body and sent it to Khagrachhari General Hospital for an autopsy.
Two firearms were recovered from the spot, he said.
Later in the day, the UPDF issued a statement condemning and protesting what it termed the killing of Sumon, 45, son of Bijoy Chakma of Sajek union.
In the statement, Sachal Chakma, Rangamati district unit organiser of UPDF, however, did not mention Sumon as a member of the organisation.
Shaktimaan Chakma, also the vice president of Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samity’s MN Larma faction, was killed in a gun attack on May 3.
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