2 'bandits' killed in gunfight

Two members of an alleged pirate gang were killed in a three-hour-long gunfight with law enforcers yesterday at the Sundarbans under Dacop upazila in Khulna.
Rapid Action Battalion (Rab-6), West Wing of the Coast Guard and East Wing of the Forest Guard conducted the operation in Vedkhali Canal area of Nishankhali around 10:00am.
They also recovered 15 firearms including shooter-gun and rifles, 18 mobile phones and a binocular from the spot, according to officials of the law enforcement agencies.
They claimed that Mannan, 30, and Masud, 38, the alleged associates of infamous pirate Waliur Rahman Razu, were caught in the line of fire during the firefight. Around 25 armed members of Razu group managed to flee the scene unhurt.
The law enforcers later discovered a den in the forest and recovered the weapons and ammunition from the place.
In a press release Rab claimed the gang used to abduct fishermen with trawlers and collect ransom. The ring also collects toll from shrimp cultivators of the Sundarbans and its adjacent areas.
The gang was preparing to collect tolls from the fishermen and boatmen who came to attend the 'Rash Mela', a traditional religious festival of the Hindus in Dublarchar area. Detectives of the security agencies collected information in the guise of devotees, the statement added.
Coast Guard official Lt Hasanuzzaman said sensing presence of the law enforcers the pirates opened fire that triggered the gunfight. He added that about 1,000 bullets were exchanged during the fight.
They found the bodies after the pirates had fled the scene.
Deputy Forest Officer Jahir Uddin confirmed the incident saying they also arrested a pirate from the spot but failed to ascertain his identity immediately.
Law enforcers were hunting for the gang leader Waliur Rahman Razu and his abettors.