‘Robber’ killed in Noakhali ‘shootout’

A ringleader of a robbers’ gang was killed during a “shootout” with police in Chatkhil upazila of Noakhali early today.

Five policemen including a sub-inspector were also injured during the incident, our Noakhali correspondent reports quoting Nasir Uddin, officer-in-charge (OC) of Chatkhil Police Station. 

The deceased was identified as Khorshed Alam, 42, son of Abdur Rashid of Badalkot village in the upazila.

A team of Chatkhil police conducted a drive in Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj district and arrested Khorshed with the help of Rupganj police on Monday, MS Ashrafuzzaman, additional superintendent of police in Noakhali, told The Daily Star.

After interrogation, police took Khorshed to a brickfield at Pala Bazar around 3:00am today to recover hidden arms in the area.

Sensing presence of the law enforces, Khorshed’s associates opened fire targeting the law enforcers, prompting them to retaliate with bullets that triggered the “gunfight”, said OC Nasir Uddin.

Khorshed came in the line of fire and died on the spot, the OC said.

Police also recovered a pistol and two LGs from the scene, he added.

SI Khalil, ASI Nizam and three other police personnel were injured during the “shootout”. They are now undergoing treatment at Noakhali District Police Hospital.    

Khorshed was wanted in at least 30 cases, including 18 for robbery and four for assaulting police, the OC confirmed.