2 outlaws killed in 'shootouts'

Two outlaws were killed in "shootouts" between their cohorts and police in Khulna and Chuadanga early yesterday. Two policemen were also injured in gunfight in Khulna.
The dead were identified as Abu Sayeed Sarkar alias Ranga Sayeed, 32, an armed cadre of New Biplobi Communist Party, and Abdur Rashid alias Mollah Rashid, 42, a regional leader of Janajuddho, one of the Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP-ML) factions.
Our Khulna correspondent reports, police raided Ambhita School playground at Dumuria in Khulna where the outlaws were holding a meeting.
When the police reached the school ground at about 1:20am, the extremists started firing on them triggering a gunfight. Sayeed was caught in the line of fire while his associates managed to flee the scene.
Doctors declared Sayeed dead after he had been taken to Dumuria upazila health complex.
Two police constables -- Abdus Sobhan and Salauddin -- also received bullet wounds. They were admitted to upazila health complex.
Police recovered one shutter gun, three cartridges and one bullet from the spot. Two cases were filed in this connection.
Sayeed was accused in a number of cases, including one for murder, filed with Dumuria Police Station, police said.
Meanwhile, our Chuadanga correspondent reports, Abdur Rashid, son of Foyez Mollah of Alokdia under Sadar upazila, was killed in an "encounter" with police in Bujrogpara in Chuadanga town.
Rashid was an aide to Janajuddho founder Abdur Rashid Malitha Tapan alias Dada Tapan, who was killed in "shootout" with Rapid Action Battalion in June 18, 2008.
Police earlier received information that the Janajuddho cadres were holding a meeting at a brick-kiln in Bujrogpara area.
The law enforcers cordoned off the kiln at about 4:00am and asked the outlaws to surrender. As the cadres opened fire, a gun battle erupted.
Rashid was shot dead while his accomplices managed to flee. Police recovered a shutter gun and three bullets from the spot.
Abdur Rashid was accused in 12 murder cases, including journalist Bazlur Rahman murder, police said.