2 killed in 'shootouts'

A drug and arms peddler and a robber were killed in “shootouts” with the law enforcers in Jhenidah and Comilla districts Friday night and early yesterday.
The dead were identified as Bidhan Kumar Paramanik, 26, son of Sadhan Kumar Paramanik of Purandapur village in Moheshpur upazila of Jhenidah, and Ali Ahmed of Chandina upazila of Comilla.
Officer-in-charge of Moaheshpur Police Station told our correspondent that the gunfight played out at a jute field near Birshreshtha Hamidur Rahman College at Hat Khalishpur Bazaar of Purandapur village at about 9:00pm on Friday as drug peddlers opened fire on a DB team posing as buyers after their identity was betrayed.
Police later found Bidhan lying dead at a distance. They also recovered two light guns (LG), four rounds of bullet and 190 bottles of contraband phensidyl syrup from the spot.
Robber Ali Ahmed, wanted in at least 20 cases, was killed in a gunfight with members of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) at Madhaiya in Chandina upazila of Comilla early yesterday, according to the UNB.
Acting on a tip-off, a team of Rab-11 raided Madhaiya Primary School where Ali Ahmed and his accomplices were holding a secret meeting at about 3:00am.
Sensing the presence of the Rab men, the robbers opened fire, prompting the law enforcers to retaliate.
Rab sources said Ali received bullets during the shootout and died instantly while his cohorts managed to flee.
Three Rab men--Havildar Wahid, constable Nayan and soldier Mobarak--were also injured in the encounter, sources said.
A revolver, two light guns (LGs), six bullets and cartridges were recovered from the scene.