Mugger killed in 'shootout'

An alleged mugger was killed in an "encounter" with the Detective Branch of police in the capital's Hatirjheel yesterday.
The deceased was identified as Rajib Hossain, 27, of Rampura.
Rajib's family, however, claimed that the DB arrested him two days ago from Rampura and that the killing was pre-planned.
Selim Miah, officer-in-charge (investigation) of Ramna Police Station said the DB recovered a loaded pistol, a motorcycle and Tk 47,500 from his possession.
Two cases were filed with Ramna Police Station in this connection, added the OC.
A team of DB challenged a young man for his suspicious movement near Bangladesh Red Crescent Society headquarters in Moghbazar around 3:45am, police sources said.
Sensing danger, Rajib, who was on a motorcycle, fired gunshots targeting the DB personnel, prompting them to retaliate. Rajib received bullet wounds during the encounter, the sources added.
He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 5:00am where he was pronounced dead, said hospital sources.
Abul Hasnat Liton, Rajib's brother-in-law, claimed that Rajib owned a mobile recharging shop in Rampura area.
On Tuesday evening, one Tipu, an accused in a case, took Rajib from his shop telling him that they would meet a DB official regarding the case, said Liton.
"Since then he is missing. We found his cell phone switched off and could not trace him," he added.
The family identified Rajib's body at the Dhaka Medical College morgue in the afternoon after they learnt of the incident from television news.
Morgue sources said several bullets were lodged in his body.