3 ‘robbers’ killed in separate ‘gunfights’ with cops

Three alleged robbers were killed in three separate "gunfights" between their cohorts and law enforcers in Ashulia, outskirts area of the capital, Khulna and Brahmanbaria early today.

Rabiul Islam, 24, a ringleader of a robbers gang, and Kajol were killed in Khulna and Brahmanbaria "gunfights" while the identity of the robber killed in Ashulia "shootout" could not be known immediately. 

Ashulia

The "gunfight" took place when the robbers were taking preparation to commit robbery at Tongabari village, said Mohoshinul Quadir, officer-in-charge of Ashulia Police Station.

When a police team was patrolling the area, the alleged robbers opened fire forcing the law enforcers to fire back that triggered a "gunfight" between them, the OC said.

One of them died on the spot while the others flee the scene, he added.

Police recovered a foreign pistol, three bullets, and three sharp weapons from the spot.

The body was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy. 

Khulna

Rabiul, leader of a robber gang, was killed in a "shootout" with police in Tiyakhal area adjacent to the Sonamukhi river in Koyra upazila around 4:00am.

He was accused of eight cases, including robbery and abduction, according to police.

On secret information, a team of police arrested Rabiul from Rathghat area of the upazila yesterday afternoon, said Sheikh Shamsur Ali, OC of Koyra Police Station, UNB reports.

After gleaning information from Rabiul, police conducted a drive in Tiyakhal area around 11:00pm along with him to recover firearms.

When the law enforcers reached the spot, associates of Rabiul attacked police and opened fire, the OC said.

In retaliation, the police personnel opened fire prompting a "gunfight" between them, leaving Rabiul dead on the spot, the police official said.

Police recovered eight firearms, some bullets and two machetes from the spot.

Brahmanbaria

Kajol was killed in a "gunfight" between his cohorts and police in Aoul Bhanga Bridge area of Nabinagar upazila around 1:30am, said Imtiaz Ahmed, OC of Nabinagar Police Station.

Acting on a tip-off that a gang of robbers were taking preparation to commit robbery on Mohesh Road in the area, a team of Shibpur police camp launched a drive there, UNB reports.

Sensing the presence of law enforcers, the gang members opened fire at them, forcing the police personnel to retaliate that triggered a "gun battle".

At one stage, Kajol was caught in the line of fire and injured while others managed to flee the scene, the OC said.

Kajol was rushed to Brahmanbaria Sadar Hospital where doctors declared him dead, he added.

Rezaul Karim, a sub-inspector and two constables - Farhad Hossain and Salauddin -- were also injured in the incident.

Police recovered one pipe gun, two cartridges and four machetes from the spot.