Robber gang leader killed in 'gunfight' with Rab in Bagerhat

The ringleader of a robber gang of Sundarbans East Zone was killed in a 'gunfight' with members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in Panighat area under Sarankhola upazila of the district yesterday.

The deceased was identified as Sagir Bhandari, 35, chief of infamous 'Nayan Bahini', and son of Anwar Hossain Bhandari of Panchakaran village in Morelganj upazila of the district.

Receiving informed that members of 'Nayan Bahini' gathered at Panighat, the elite force in association with detectives took position in the area around 7:30am, said Harun-or-Rashid, assistant director of Rab-6.

Sensing the presence of the Rab men, the gang opened fire, forcing the law enforcers to retaliate, he said.

After 15 minutes of gunfight, members of the gang retreated, said Harun, also a senior assistant police superintend. Later, Rab members found bullet-hit Sagir in the area.

He was rushed to Sarankhola Upazila Health Complex where the on-duty doctor declared him dead.

Rab personnel also recovered two foreign-made and three country-made firearms, seven bullets and five bullet shells from the spot, according to UNB.

The body of Sagir were later handed over to Sarankhola Police Station.

Sagir, who used to extort the fishermen in Sundarbans, was an accused in several cases filed with different police stations in Bagerhat and Khulna, Rab sources said.