Two killed in 'shootouts'

Two operatives of outlawed Purba Bangla Communist Party were killed in separate "shootouts" with police in Kotchandpur and Harinakundu upazilas of Jhenidah early yesterday.
The deceased are Abdur Rashid, 38, son of Younus Ali of Kotchandpur and Hazrat Ali, 35, son of Mahtab Biswas of Harinakundu upazila.
On information that Rashid was holding a secret meeting with his three cohorts at Chatar village, a police team reached the spot around 3:00am, said Fazlur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Kotchandpur Police Station.
Sensing the presence of law enforcers, the outlaws opened fire on them, forcing them to retaliate, the OC said.  
Rashid sustained bullets during the gunfight and fell on the ground while his cohorts managed to flee. He was whisked off to Kotchandpur Upazila Health Complex where he was declared dead.
Police recovered a pipe gun and three bullets from the scene, he added.
Meanwhile, Ershadul Kabir, OC of Harinakundu Police Station,  said a patrol team of police cordoned off Rishkhali Amtala area where  some PBCP members were                   holding a meeting around 2:00am yesterday.
At one stage, the outlaws  opened fire on law enforcers, prompting them to fire back, the OC said.
Hazrat was caught in the line of fire and died on the spot, he said.
Police recovered a gun, two bullets and six bombs from the spot.
The body was sent to Jhenidah Sadar Hospital for an autopsy.