Criminal gang leader killed in 'shootout'

A notorious criminal was killed in a 'shootout' between his cohorts and law enforcers at Philipnagar village in Daulatpur upazila early yesterday.
The dead, Lalchad, 39, hailing from Philipnagar village, was the chief of infamous 'Lalchad Bahini'.
Acting on a tip off, a team of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab)-12 led by Major Sumon and Daulatpur thana police led by Officer-in-Charge Hasan Hafiz raided Laldah field at Philipnagar village where Lalchad and his men were holding a secret meeting at about 3:30am.
Sensing the presence of Rab and police, the gang opened fire on them, prompting the law enforcers to retaliate.
Lalchad was killed on the spot during the shootout and law enforcers found his body after the gunfight. The accomplices of Lalchad, however, managed to flee.
Police recovered a pistol and four bullets from Lalchad's possession and four swords from the spot.
Police said Lalchad committed numerous crimes, including murder, abduction, robbery, rape and mugging, in Kushtia, Natore and Rajshahi districts.
According to police, Lalchad was accused in 18 different cases, including six for murder filed with Mirpur, Daulatpur and Bheramara police stations in Kushtia, Lalpur in Natore and Paba in Rajshahi.
He unleashed a reign of terror in the Char land of Padma in Kushtia, Pabna, Natore and Rajshahi district, sources said.