A BNP leader was killed in a ‘gunfight’ with police in Shonaimuri upazila in Noakhali early on Thursday.
The deceased was identified as Tohidul Islam, 45, son of late Nur Muhammad Master of Bhadragaon village and the former BNP joint convener of Amishahpara union under Shonaimuri upazila.
Shonaimuri police station Officer-in-Charge Abdus Samad told the Dhaka Tribune that Rapid Action Battalion personnel had detained Tohidul from the capital’s press club area and handed him over to Paltan police station on January 28.
Later, he was brought to Shonaimuri police station.
He said: “During the interrogation, Tohidul had confessed about having arms at his house. Police took him and conducted a drive at his place around 3:30 and recovered bullets of riffles, its cartridge and locally made arms.”
“His associates attacked and opened fire on the police when they reached Merrypara area around 4:30am,” he said.
Police opened fire in retaliation and triggered a ‘gunfight’.
The OC said: “At a stage, he received bullet on his leg in his associates’ firing, while trying to flee from the spot.”
He was admitted to Noakhali General Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of the day, he said.