'Drug dealer' killed in 'gunfight' in Comilla

A wanted drug dealer was killed in a “gunfight” with Rab at Chauddagram upazila in Comilla early yesterday.

Deceased Md Faruk, 33, was an accused in five drug related cases, Rab claimed.

Maj Ataur Rahman, a company commander of Rab-11 in Comilla said a Rab team raided Komalla Munshirhat College Road area to arrest drug dealers. Sensing presence of law enforcers, the drug dealers opened fire prompting the Rab team to retaliate, he said.

At one stage, Faruk was shot. Faruk passed away when he was being taken to Comilla Medical College hospital, Ataur said, adding that his accomplices managed to flee.

A pistol, two bullets and 524 yaba pills were found on the spot, he added.

Family sources said Faruk was a tea stall owner. He had obtained bail in all cases filed against him. He was the father of two, a son and a daughter, reports our Comilla correspondent. 

With Faruk, at least 210 suspected drug traders have been killed since the anti-narcotics drive began on May 4. Most of them were killed in so-called shootouts involving police and Rab.

Meanwhile, the body of a Jubo League leader was recovered from Durbajuri village beside Narail-Jessore Road yesterday, days after he was picked up allegedly by some plainclothes men who identified themselves as policemen. 

Tarikul Islam, 28, was a fertiliser trader. He was a Jubo League leader of Bagharpara upazila unit. He bore bullet marks in his head.

Locals found the body lying in a field around 8:30am and informed police, who sent it to Narail Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy, our Jhenidah correspondent reports. 

Victim's uncle Omar Ali Biswas alleged that “plainclothes policemen” picked up his nephew at his shop in Hatkhola Bazar around 7:30pm Friday. Tarikul had been missing since.