Two killed in RAB ‘shootouts’

A Biplabi Communist Party leader and a crime suspect were killed in separate incidents of 'shootout' with the law enforcement agencies in Jhenaidah and Natore early Wednesday.

Mukul Hossain, 25, of Par Alandanga in Chuadanga, was killed in a 'shootout' with the Rapid Action Battalion in Jhenaidah and Jahangir Alam, 45, of Daulatpur in Kushtia, was killed in the other 'shootout' with the battalion in Natore.

The New Age correspondent in Jhenaidah said that Mukul, a regional leader of the Biplabi Communist Party (Moazzem Group), was shot dead in a 'gunfight' with the battalion at Pairadanga of Harinakundu early

Wednesday, Jhenaidah battalion camp commander Major Sakhawat Hossain said. Two of his associates managed to get away.

Sakhawat said that acting on a tip-off, a team of the battalion and the police had raided the area about 3:10 am Wednesday. As the lawmen approached, the outfit operatives fired on the lawmen, who fired back, triggering a 'gunfight' that continued for 15 minutes.

The law enforcers found Mukul lying on the spot with bullet injuries. He was sent to Jhenaidah General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Sakhawat said that the deceased was wanted in seven cases, including two for murder and abduction, filed with the police in Jhenaidah, Chuadanga and Kushtia.

In the other 'shootout' with the battalion, the United News of Bangladesh said, the crime suspect Jahangir had been killed at Padma Char of Lalpur in Natore early Wednesday.

The deceased Jahangir, of Natunchar at Daulatpur in Kushtia, was the second-in-command of the Panna Bahini, the lawmen said.

Acting on a tip-off, a battalion team raided the char area about 3:30am when Jahangir and his associates were holding a meeting.

As the lawmen approached, the group fired into the lawmen, who fired back, leading to a 'gunfight.' At one point, Jahangir became wounded and his associates managed to get away.

The battalion later sent Jahangir to Lalpur health complex where he was pronounced dead.

Five firearms, 54 bullets, some sharp weapons and 15 bottles of Phensedyl (codeine) syrup were seized.