A suspected yaba trader has been killed in a supposed gunfight with the police in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar.
The incident occurred near Nengu Beel area of the upazila around 4am on Thursday.
The deceased has been identified as Abdul Malek, 36, from Pallan Para of Teknaf.
Three policemen were also injured, Teknaf Model police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Pradip Kumar Das told Dhaka Tribune.
He said, the police conducted a drive to recover illegal weapons acting on a tip-off when a gang of drug traders opened fire at them.
The police retaliated in self-defence and the ensuing gunfight left Malek injured. He was sent to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex first but referred to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital as his condition worsened. However, he died on the way.
A Teknaf Upazila Health Complex doctor Titu Shil Chandra confirmed that police brought a body with bullet wounds on both sides of the chest.
“The injured police officials have been released after treatment,” he added.
OC Pradip said Malek’s body has been kept at the Sadar hospital for autopsy. Three cases have been lodged.
The police reported to have found two locally made guns, 21 bullet shells, and 5,000 pills of yaba from the spot.
