Outlaw killed in ‘shootout’

An underground operative was killed during a “shootout” between his cohorts and police at Durgapur village under Jhenidah Sadar upazila early yesterday.
The dead, Harun-ur- Rashid alias Khoka, 38, was a regional leader of outlawed Purbo Banglar Communist Party (Janajuddha). He was an accused in Ganna Union Parishad Chairman Sharaf murder case.
Acting on a tip-off, police arrested Harun at Abdullahpur in Dhaka on Thursday. On his confessional statement, they took him to Durgapur to recover hidden firearms and arrest his cohorts.
When they reached near a playground at the village at around 3:00am, Harun's accomplices opened fire, prompting the law enforcers to retaliate.
Police said Harun received bullets during the “shootout” and died instantly, while his accomplices managed to flee. Two policemen--Sub-Inspector Abdullah and constable Mofizwere also injured.
The law enforcers recovered a gun, two bullets and a bomb from the spot. Police said Harun was wanted in seven cases, including two for murder.