4 killed in ‘gunfights’ in three dists

Four persons were killed in separate reported gunfights in three districts-- Dhaka, Chattogram and Cumilla--early Monday.

Among the victims, three suspected hijackers while another was a drug trader.

In Dhaka, two suspected hijackers were killed in a reported gunfight with members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in Hazaribagh Beribadh area of the capital.

The deceased were identified as Munir, 46, and Giasuddin, 42.

According to Rab sources, a gang of hijackers hijacked a covered van carrying nine tonnes of tea of Ishpahani Tea Ltd from Srimangal five-six days ago.

Being tipped-off that the hijackers were taking the van to Old Dhaka, a team of Rab-2 set up a checkpost in front of Madhu City under Hazaribagh Police Station.

When the van was crossing the checkpost around 2:45am, the team challenged it.

Sensing the impending danger, the hijackers reportedly opened fire on the law enforcers, forcing them to fire back.

After a brief gunfight, the elite force recovered the bodies of van driver Munir and his helper Gias from the spot, said Superintendent Mohiuddin Faruqi of Rab-2.

They also recovered a pistol from the spot.

Two Rab personnel were also injured in the gunfight.

In Chattogram, Md Monsur, 40, a listed hijacker of Chattogram Metropolitan Police and also an accused in eight cases and leader of a hijacking gang, was killed in the reported gunfight with police in Pologround area under Kotwali Police Station.

Mohammad Mohsin, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station, said that a patrol team of police chased a gang of muggers when they snatched a bag of woman from a CNG-run auto rickshaw in Tigerpass area at night.

When, the auto-rickshaw carrying the hijackers reached Pologround area, they opened fire on police, forcing them to fire back, triggering the gunfight.

After the gunfight, police rescued bullet-wounded Monsur from the spot.

Later, the injured was taken to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital where doctors declared him dead.

Police recovered a pistol, five rounds of cartridges, five bullet shells and three mobile phones and the auto rickshaw from the spot.

In Cumilla, suspected drug trader Selim Miah, 45, son of Ali Ahmed, was killed in a reported gunfight with members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at Golabari in Sadar upazila around 1am.

Lt Col Abu Mohammad Mohiuddin, commanding officer BGB-10 battalion, said that a special team of BGB conducted a drive in the border area.

Sensing the presence of the BGB team, the drug traders opened fire on them, prompting them to fire back, triggering the gunfight.

Selim received bullet wound during the gunfight and doctors declared him dead when he was taken to Comilla Medical College Hospital.

They also recovered 2000 Yaba pills which were tied up with the body.