3 killed in 'shootouts'

Three criminals, including an outlaw, were killed in 'shootouts' with the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in Kushtia and Bagerhat early yesterday and Monday afternoon.
Of the dead, one was identified as Raisuddin, 32, a regional leader of the outlawed 'Gono Bahini' while the other two could not be identified as of yesterday.
Raisuddin, who was accused in several cases, including five for murder, was killed in a 'gunfight' between his cohorts and Rab at Modhupur early yesterday, our correspondent in Kushtia reports.
Acting on a tip-off, a team of Rab-12 raided an orchard at Modhupur at about 12:15am where the gang was holding a meeting.
Sensing their presence, the gang opened fire on the elite force members, prompting them to retaliate. Raisuddin was hit by several bullets and died on the spot while his accomplices managed to flee the scene.
Rab recovered his body from the spot, along with two firearms, four bullets, and three sharp weapons.
Meanwhile, our Bagerhat correspondent reports that two unidentified criminals were killed in another 'shootout' in the Sundarbans near Beki canal under Sharankhola upazila of Bagerhat, Monday afternoon.
A team of Rab conducting a drive in the Sundarbans, at about 11:45pm, came across an empty boat in the canal and recovered firearms from it, Assistant Commander of Rab-8 Major Sabbir told The Daily Star.
The criminals who were hiding in the forest opened fire on the elite force members, prompting them to fire back which triggered a battle.
After 20 minutes Rab members recovered two bullet-hit bodies from the spot and took them to Sharankhola Police Station.
Rab also seized three firearms, eight bullets, 12 cartridges, three sharp weapons, and a cell phone from the boat.