A suspected drug peddler has been killed in a so-called “gunfight” with the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Joypurhat.
The deceased, Sohel Rana, 42, hailed from Uttar Gopalpur village in Panchbibi upazila.
RAB sources said the suspect was a notorious narcotics dealer in the region, and was wanted by law enforcers in eight to ten cases.
Confirming the matter to the Dhaka Tribune, Joypurhat RAB 5 camp commander Assistant Superintendent of Police Ajmal Hossain said: “Several illegal narcotics dealers were trading drugs in the Keshabpur area in the early hours of Wednesday.
“Sensing the presence of an approaching RAB patrol team, the culprits began firing on them, triggering a gunfight. The bullet-riddled body of Sohel was found at the scene as other suspects made their escape. Two RAB personnel were injured in the incident.”
He added that Sohel was taken to Panchbibi Hospital, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead on arrival.
RAB seized a foreign pistol, bullets, a magazine and 60 bottles of phensedyl from the area. The suspect’s body has been sent to Joypurhat Hospital.
