Murder accused killed in 'gunfight'

An accused of six murder cases, who was sentenced to death by a Joypurhat court five years ago, was killed in a "gunfight" between his cohorts and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in Joypurhat Sadar upazila early yesterday.

The deceased is Mohammad Safin, 29, of Dewanpara area in the upazila.

Major Hasan Arafat, commander of Crime Prevention Company (CPC) of Rab-5, said they arrested Safin from the district headquarters on Tuesday evening.

Later, Rab members along with Safin raided Dadra-Jointigram village to recover firearms around 3:40am.

Sensing their presence, Safin's associates opened fire towards the law enforcers prompting them to retaliate, triggering a "gunfight".

Safin was caught in the line of fire and died on the spot, Major Arafat said.