'Robber' killed in 'shootout' with police

A suspected robber was killed in a “gunfight” with police in Meherpur's Gangni upazila early yesterday.

The deceased was identified as Zamshed Ali, 43, son of Osman Ali of Kosba village in the upazila.

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Harendranath Sarker, officer-in-charge of Gangni police, said they raided a banana orchard at Hemayetpur village on information that “robbers” were holding a secret meeting there to rob vehicles on Hemayetpur-Amtola road.

The police team cordoned off the orchard around 3:30am, asked the alleged criminals to surrender and came under fire, the OC said.

The team retaliated, forcing the criminals to flee the scene after an hour-long gunfight, he added.

The law enforcers claimed to have found bullet-hit Zamshed with one pistol, four bombs and two machetes on the spot. They took him to Gangni Upazila Health Complex where on duty doctor Ali Reza declared him dead.

The body was sent to Meherpur General Hospital for autopsy.

Sonavanu and Rehena Khatun, two wives of Zamshed, identified his body in the afternoon.

Two policemen were also injured in the incident, the OC claimed.