'Robber' killed in Kushtia 'gunfight'

An alleged robber was killed in a “gunfight” with police at Adabaria village in Kushtia's Daulatpur upazila early yesterday.

The deceased, Abdus Selim, 40, was from Modhugari in the upazila. He was a listed robber and a member of an inter-district robber gang, police claimed.

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Selim was accused in 10 cases, including one for murder, four for robberies, three for mugging and two for abduction, law enforcers said.

Sabbirul Alam, officer-in-charge of Detective Branch (DB) of Kushtia police, said a joint team of DB and Daulatpur police conducted a raid around 3:00am at Shialia field after being tipped off that Selim and his seven to eight accomplices were holding a secret meeting there to commit a robbery.

Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the criminals opened fire. The “gunfight” ensued when police retaliated with fire, the OC said.

With bullet injuries, Selim was taken to Daulatpur Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead, he said.

The body was sent to Kushtia General Hospital for an autopsy.

Police claimed to have recovered two firearms, four bullets and sharp weapons from the spot.