Forest bandit killed in gunfight with RAB in Sundarbans

A notorious ringleader of a gang of forest robbers in the Sundarbans was killed in a gunfight with RAB-8 in Sarankhola upazila, Bagerhat, in east Sundarban. The deceased gang leader Bellal Mir, alias Blind Bellal, second-in-command of the Shamsu Bahini, was killed in the “gunfight” Thursday morning. The fighting ensued after smoke was seen rising up from a forest in an area patrolled by RAB-8. After the raid, RAB recovered five firearms and several rounds of ammunition. RAB-8 Deputy Commissioner Major Adnan Kabir said: “RAB-8 members were on patrol as part of their usual patrol duty in the Shukhpara chor area of Sarankhola Range in Sundarban. They noticed smoke rising up out of the forest and started firing shots. After a half hour of exchanging gunfire, the shots eventually stopped, so the RAB team ventured in to inspect the area.” RAB found a dead body with gunshot wounds along with five firearms and 77 rounds of ammunition. Locals in the area identified the deceased as Bellal, Shamsur Bahini’s second-in-command. RAB said they will hand over the recovered firearms and ammunition and transfer Bellal’s body to the Sarankhola police.