Dhaka, June 26 – A suspected drug trader was killed in a reported gunfight with detectives in Bagmara Beribadh area in Sadar Upazila of Bhola district early Tuesday. Two murder accused were killed in gunfights in Kushtia on the same day. The deceased was identified as Jakir Hossain, 50, wanted in 19 cases including drug, murder and arms.
Being informed that a group of drug traders was conducting a secret meeting in the area, a team of detectives conducted a drive in the area around 3:45 am, said Shahidul Islam, officer-in-charge of Detective Branch of the district police.
Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the drug traders opened fire on them, prompting them to retaliate for self-defence.
After the gunfight, police recovered the body from the spot while others managed to flee the scene.
Police also recovered a pistol, five round bullets, three sharp weapons and one kg hemp.
Five policemen were also injured, said the OC.
With the latest one, at least 119 people were killed in ‘gunfights’ with members of law enforcement agencies while 37 bodies of suspected drug traders were recovered after reported gun battles between rival groups during the countrywide anti-narcotic drives since 15 May.
In Kushtia two young men, accused in a schoolboy abduction and murder case, were killed in a reported gunfight with police in Paharpur village of Mirpur Upazila early Tuesday.
The deceased were identified as Nayem Islam, 27, son of Jahurul Islam and Joyar Ali, 28, son of Akkas Ali of Malitha para in Chitlia union.
Rafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Mirpur Police Station, said police arrested Nayem and Joyar on Monday in connection with the abduction of Deb Dutta, 9, son of Pabitra Dutta, and a class III student of Chitlia Primary School.
Based on information provided by the duo, police recovered Deb’s body from under the ground beside a toilet of Nayem’s house around 2 pm on Monday.
Later at night, police conducted a drive in the village along with the duo to arrest other criminals.
When the team reached the village, their cohorts opened on law enforcers.
Law enforcers retaliated, triggering a gunfight between them, police said.
The murder accused sustained bullet wounds when they tried to flee the scene during the ‘gunfight’. They were taken to Mirpur Hospital where doctors declared them dead.
Four policemen were injured and the law enforcers recovered two pistols, seven-round bullets and four machetes from the spot.
Earlier, on June 9, miscreants abducted Deb Dutta after he went out of their house for coaching. Later, abductors demanded Tk 50 lakh as ransom. – UNB
