At least three suspected drug peddlers have been killed in separate incidents of “gunfights” in two districts.
In Rajshahi, two suspected drug peddlers were killed in a reported gunfight with Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) near Karamja area Thursday night.
The identities of the deceased are not known yet.
RAB-5 deputy commander, AM Ashraful Islam, said a group of drug peddlers opened fire on them while the elite force was conducting a drive, prompting the RAB men to retaliate, thus triggering the gunfight.
With bullet injuries to the chest, they were taken to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) where they were declared dead.
RMCH emergency unit doctor Billal Uddin said: “The RAB men brought the two bodies around 12am on Thursday."
“They were already dead before reaching the hospital.”
According to RAB officials, the elite force has recovered a number of drugs and weapons from the spot.
In Gazipur, a suspected drug peddler, Kamal Khan, alias Kamrul Islam alias Kamu, 40, has been killed in an alleged gunfight with the police’s Detective Branch (DB), early Friday.
DB inspector Amir Hossain said, acting on a tip-off, members of DB arrested Kamu while he was selling yaba pills.
Later, on the way to the police station, Kamu’s associates opened fire on the DB officials. They fired back in retaliation.
The police recovered 4,000 yaba pills and one car from the crime scene.
There are 14 cases in all against Kamu at various police stations, including two murder cases.
Our correspondents from Rajshahi and Gazipur contributed to this report