Police arrested five Jamaat-Shibir men and recovered three firearms from their possession following a gunfight at Awchhila area of Satkania upazila under Chittagong district early Wednesday.
The arrested were identified as Mohammed Iqbal, 32, Mohammed Naser, 45, Sagir Ahmed, 23, and Abu Sifian, 22, of Daksin Kanchhana area and Mohammed Arif, 22, of Churamoni area.
Mohammed Iltutmish, additional superintendent of police (south), said a group of Jamaat-Shibir men, led by Iqbal, had long been engaged in robberies and other criminal activities. He also took part in subversive activities in the locality.
“The armed group was taking preparation to commit criminal activities at Churamoni area of Awchhila at about 3:30pm,” he said, adding that the police had conducted a drive on a secret message.
He said the Jamaat-Shibir men opened fire sensing the presence of the law enforcement, forcing the team to retaliate, adding that five of the gang members had been arrested in possession of three single barrel guns and three machetes after a brief gunfight.
Abdul Latif, officer-in-charge of the Satkania Police Station who led the drive, said the gang leader Iqbal sustained bullet wounds during the drive and was undergoing treatment at a local hospital in police custody.
