A bandit leader has been killed in a “gunfight” between the law enforcers and his gang members in Sundarbans' Khulna range early Friday.
The deceased is Moktarul Dhali, 32, the chief of bandit group Masud Bahini.
District Detective Police Inspector Rokonuzzaman said: “The police arrested Moktarul from Mostafa Mor area of Khulna city on Thursday morning. Later, acting on Moktarul's information, the police took him to Bhutmarir Char under Kaira upazila in Sundarbans in order to recover arms and ammunitions.”
“At one stage of the drive, the cohorts of Moktarul opened fire on the law enforcers. In retaliation, the police also fired back that triggered a gunfight between the bandits and the police. Some 80 rounds of bullets have been exchanged during the gun battle.”
The inspector further said: “The bandits managed to flee the scene around 12 midnight. Later, the police found the bullet-hit body of Moktarul and sent it to Khulna Medical College Hospital.”
Eight local guns, 15 rounds of bullets and six hand bombs have been recovered from the spot, said the police.
Kaira police station Officer- in-Charge Subir Datta said: “Moktarul was wanted in six cases of robbery and extortion. He was the second-in-command of Masud Bahini. After the death of Masud, he took the charge of the gang in 2013.”