'Robber' killed in 'crossfire'

An alleged robber was killed during a “gunfight” between Rapid Action Battalion personnel and an armed gang in Maheshkhali of Cox's Bazar early yesterday.
Two Rab personnel -- Md Asaduzzaman, assistant superintendent of police and constable Tajul Islam -- were also injured in the hour-long shootout around 4:00am, said sources in Rab-7.
The law enforcers seized a double-barrel shotgun, two single-barrel guns, two other guns, seven cartridges, 12 used cartridges and four machetes from the spot, the sources said.
Deceased Abul Kashem, 32, was a member of the notorious gang “Kala Jahangir Bahini”, claimed the sources.
They said Rab personnel, led by its commanding officer Lt Col Saiful Karim, went on a drive at Kalur Bridge area following a tip off.
About 12 to 15 members of the gang were preparing for a robbery, said Lt Commander Nuruzzaman, Chandgaon camp commander of Rab-7.
Sensing the presence of the elite force, the robbers fired 12 shots at the law enforcers and the Rab personnel retaliated with 81 shots, added the Rab personnel.
Kashem was hit and he died on the spot, said squadron leader Nazmul Hossain, second-in-command of Rab-7, adding that the cohorts of Kashem managed to flee leaving the arms and ammunition behind.
Nazmul said Kashem was bullet hit during another shootout with the elite force in 2011 in Maheshkhali. He said over 25 cases were filed against him with different police stations of Cox's Bazar.