Police-terrorists gunfight leaves 12 hurt in Fatikchhari

CHITTAGONG, Jan 5: At least 12 people were injured, five with bullets, in a gunfight between police and terrorists at Rangamatia village in Fatikchhari thana this evening, reports UNB.

Police and witnesses said, about 60-70 armed terrorists swooped on a 12-member police squad when they went to Rangamatia village, three kilometres of Fatikchhari, to arrest four wanted persons.

The four - Shakawat, Osman, Belal and Mohsin - all said to be members of the so-called Tipu Bahini - went there to attend an iftar party arranged by a section of Chhatra League activists.

They are facing charges for severing wrists of two youths - Nazim and Mostafiz. They were also involved in the attack on Rafiqul Anwar, MP, at the funeral of their ringleader Tipu who was killed by the rival group late last year.

Sensing police presence, the gang opened fire, forcing the police to retreat. At one stage, they moved towards the thana firing over 40 shots while police retaliated with 15 shots.

Five pedestrians - Sabuj, Salam, Zahur, Alam and Jaynal - were caught in the crossfire and hit by bullets at about 5 pm.

Later, the gunmen put up barricades on Chittagong-Khagrachhari and Bibrirhat-Nazirhat roads, disrupting traffic.

Police reinforcement led by Additional Police Super Abdur Rahim rushed to the scene at about 5:30 pm, fired teargas shells and cleared the roads.

The attackers also fired shots, blasted bombs and crackers, creating panic in the area. Seven people were injured.

Local sources said intermittent bomb blasts and gunshots continued in the troubled area till filing of this report at about 8:30 pm.