Two ‘drug traders’ killed in ‘gunfights’

Two alleged drug peddlers were killed in "gunfights" with members of Border Guard Bangladesh in Cox's Bazar early yesterday.

One of them killed in Ukhiya upazila was identified as Mohammad Shahjahan, 27, while the identity of the other, aged between 25 and 30, killed in Teknaf upazila could not be known immediately.

One "shootout" happened in Tulatui Jaliler Goda bridge area of Ukhiya when BGB men took position on information that a big consignment of yaba tablets from Myanmar will enter Bangladesh, said Lt Col Ali Haider Azad Ahmed, commander of BGB Battalion-34 in Cox's Bazar.

When a gang of four to five was entering Bangladesh through the border around 4:00am, the BGB men signalled them to stop. But they opened fire, forcing BGB personnel to retaliate and triggering a "gunfight". Shahjahan was hit, he claimed.

Doctors declared him dead after being taken to Ukhiya Upazila Health Complex. Shahjahan was accused in at least 10 cases, the BGB official added.

BGB also claimed to have recovered 50,000 yaba pills and a firearm from the spot.

In another incident, Lt Col Faisal Hasan Khan, commander of BGB 2 Battalion in Cox's Bazar, came up with almost identical version while describing the "gunfight" in Teknaf's Damdamia Natural Park area.

The BGB official said three drug peddlers were crossing the Naf river. Following the "shootout", one of them was declared dead after being taken to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex with bullet wounds, while two others fled to Myanmar.

He claimed that they also recovered 3.4 lakh yaba tablets and a firearm from the spot.

Both the bodies were sent to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsies.