Arms trader killed in Cox’s Bazar gunfight

A notorious arms trader has been killed during a gunfight with police in Maheshkhali upazila of Cox’s Bazar. Maheshkhali police OC Pradip Kumar Dash told the Dhaka Tribune that a police team raided a weapons factory at Maheshkhal’s Keruntoli hill area at around 8am Friday after receiving a tip-off. "Sensing the presence of law enforcers, the gang members opened fire, which forced the police to retaliate in self defence," he said. Khulia Mia, 45, suffered bullet injuries during the shootout and was rushed to Maheshkhali Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. Seven law enforcers also suffered injuries and were admitted to the same hospital. According to OC Pradip, Khulia was a notorious robber and an arms trader in Maheshkhali. He was also one of the Home Ministry’s enlisted criminals accused in more than 20 cases.