Two forest robbers were killed in a gunfight with members of Rapid Action Battalion Rab in Andharmanik area of the Sundarbans under Mongla upazila on Wednesday. The deceased were identified as Riad alias Dalim, 28, and Kalam Khan, 47. They belonged to notorious robber gang ‘Sheersha Bahini’.
A team of the elite force conducted a drive in the Sundarbans around 1:45pm as part of their regular crackdown against the forest robbers, said commander of Rab-8 Barisal Col Faridul Alam who led the operation.
As the Rab members reached Baro Tengrarkhal of the Sunbarbans under Changpai Range, the forest robbers opened fire on the law enforcers, forcing them to retaliate that triggered a gun battle.
After the 30-miniute gunfight, the robbers fled into the deep forest.
Later, the crime busters recovered the bodies of Dalim and Kalam from the spot.
They also recovered seven firearms, including three LGs, 35 bullets and a trawler used by the robbers and a large amount of relief materials.
Some 62 forest robbers, including 12 ringleaders, were killed in gunfights with law enforcers in the Sundarbans and its adjoining areas in the last three and half years from January 2010 to July 10, 2013. – UNB
