Suspected Rohingya drug peddler killed in gunfight in Cox’s Bazar

An alleged Rohingya drug peddler was killed in a gunfight with police at the Moragachtola area in Cox's Bazar's Ukhia upazila earlier today.

The deceased was identified as Shawkat Ali, 28, a refugee of Balukhali Rohingya camp in Cox's Bazar, reports our correspondent quoting Marjina Akhter, officer-in-charge (OC) of Ukhia Police Station.

On information, a team of police led by Ukhia Circle ASP Nihad Adnan Taiyan conducted a raid on the area at around 2:00am today to recover a consignment of yaba, OC Marjina said.

Sensing police presence, the drug peddlers opened fire, forcing the police personnel to fire back and triggering the gunfight, she said.

At one stage, Shawkat suffered bullet injuries while his cohorts managed to flee the scene, the OC said, adding that the injured Rohingya man was taken to Ukhia Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead.

Three police personnel including ASP Nihad were also injured during the gunfight, OC Marjina claimed.

After the gunfight, police recovered 1.1 lakh yaba pills, a pistol and four rounds of ammunition from the spot, she said.

The filing of three separate cases are underway regarding the incident, she further said.