4 ‘forest robbers’ killed in Sundarbans ‘shootout’

Four suspected forest robbers were killed in a reported gunfight with members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in the Sundarbans under Koyra upazila of Khulna district early Tuesday, UNB reports.

Two of the deceased were identified as gang leader Aminul and his second-in-command Rafiq.

Tipped-off that some forest robbers took position in the Sundarbans, a team of Rab launched a drive in the deep forest in between 3am and 5am, said Lt Col Syed Mohammad Nurus Salehin Yusuf, Commander of Rab-6.

Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the "robbers" opened fire on them, forcing them to retaliate that triggered a brief gunfight, Salehin said.

Later, the Rab members recovered four bullet-hit "robbers" and took them to Koyra Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared them dead, he added.

Salehin also said local fishermen identified Aminul and Rafiq but could not name the two others.