Nine suspected drug traders have been killed in separate incidents of “gunfights” across six districts in the early hours of Thursday.
Top drug dealer killed during police raid in Brahmanbaria
In Brahmanbaria’s Akhaura, Ameer Kha – suspected of being a major drug dealer - was killed in a “gunfight” with the police around 2am.
Akhaura police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Mosharaf Hossain Torofdar said: “We went to Kurer Par area to conduct a raid against the local drug dealers.
“Ameer and his associates shot at us, and we responded. Ameer was killed during the shootout,” the officer said. A case will be filed in this regard with Akhaura police station.
Police recovered one pipe gun, one round of cartridges, a machete, two large knives, 10kg of cannabis, and eight bottles of cough syrup from the den.
The OC said three policemen were injured in the incident. They were treated at Akhaura Upazila Health Complex Hospital.
Police said Ameer is named as the accused in 12 cases, including nine narcotics cases, two cases filed under the Special Powers Act, and a murder case.
2 killed in Cumilla
In Cumilla, two suspected drug traders, Babul Prokashey alias Lomba Babu, 35, and Rajib, 26, were killed in two separate “gunfights” with the police in Chauddagram upazila.
The incidents took place between 1am and 2:15am.
Chauddagram police station OC Abul Foisal said: “We detained Babu from Ramrai area in a drive around 11:30pm Wednesday. When we interrogated him, he told us about a drug shipment in Montajer Bagan area.
“Acting on the information, we went to recover the drugs with Babu around 1am. But his cohorts were there and they opened fire on us.”
The subsequent shootout saw Babu and three policemen get shot. One firearm and 200 bottles of phensedyl were recovered from the location.
When the injured were taken to Comilla Medical College Hospital for treatment, Babu was pronounced dead.
The OC said Babu stood accused in five cases filed under the Narcotics Control Act.
Another suspected drug dealer named Rajib was injured along with three policemen in a reported gunfight with the police in Gowalmathon area around 2:15am.One firearm, some cartridges, 50 bottles of phensedyl, and 40kg of cannabis were recovered from the spot.
Sadar South Model police station OC Md Nazrul Islam said: “Rajib was declared dead when taken to Comilla Medical College Hospital. He was accused in 12 cases.”
2 killed in Magura
In Magura, a violent dispute over shares of drug money saw two men from rival groups killed.
The deceased were identified as Aiyub Hossain, a 50-year old who was accused in 18 cases, and Mizanur Rahman Kalu, a 46-year old accused in 21 cases.
Magura Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Chhayer Uddin said two rival groups of drug dealers were fighting over their shares of drug money in Parnanduyoli Housing area.
He said: “We dispatched a team who found the two bodies, along with several rounds of bullets and 100gm of heroin.”
Feni ‘gunfight’ kills 2
In Feni, two suspected drug dealers were killed in a reported gunfight with the police in Fulgazi upazila around 4:30am Thursday.
The deceased were identified as Monzu Mia alias Monir, and Shahamiraan Shamim.
Fulgazi police station OC Humayun Kabir said the deceased were accused in 10 cases involving narcotics and firearms.
Police said a firearm, three cartridges, 700 pieces of yaba, and 150 bottles of phensedyl were recovered from the spot.
One killed in Satkhira
In Satkhira, a suspected drug dealer named Abdul Aziz, 45, was killed in a reported gunfight with rivals at Chobaria village in Kaliganj upazila.
Kaliganj OC Hasan Hafizur Rahman said: “We were informed about the shootout. When we reached the spot, we found a body and sent it to Satkhira sadar morgue for autopsy.
“The gunfight might have taken place between the members of his gang or against another gang,” he said.
A pistol, five rounds of bullets, and 48 bottles of phensedyl were recovered from the spot.
However, Aziz’s son-in-law Rezaul Islam said: “Some people picked up my father-in-law last night [Wednesday]. He was missing since then.”
Drug trader killed, 6 police officials injured in Narayanganj
In Narayanganj, a suspected drug dealer named Salim, 32, was killed and six police officials injured in a reported gunfight.
Police and drug dealers reportedly exchanged shots at south Nimaisari area under Siddhirganj upazila in the early hours of the day, reports the Bangla Tribune.
A locally-made revolver and five bottles of phensedyl were recovered from the spot, Siddhirganj police said.
Meanwhile, six cops were injured in the incident.
As of Thursday morning, at least 51 people have been killed after law enforcement agencies launched an aggressive campaign against narcotics trade across Bangladesh.
