Seven suspected Rohingya robbers killed in ‘gunfight’
RAB sources said ‘Jakir Group’ was involved in various criminal activities including contract killing and drug smuggling
Seven suspected Rohingya robbers were shot dead during a shootout with members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on a hill in Teknaf upazila of Cox's Bazar early Monday.
The identity of the deceased could not be known yet. However, they were members of robber gang "Jakir Group," said Pradip Kumar Das, officer-in-charge of Teknaf Police Station.
Tipped off that a gang of robbers were taking preparation to commit robbery in the Jadimora-Mochni area of the hill behind Rohingya camp No 27, a team of RAB conducted a drive there around 4:30am, said Mirza Shahed Mahtab, company commander of RAB-15.
"Sensing the presence of law enforcers, the robbers opened fire on them prompting them to fire back in self-defence that triggered the gunfight," Mahtab claimed.
After two and a half hours of shooting, the elite force recovered seven bodies from the spot. They also claimed to have recovered two firearms from the spot.
RAB sources said 'Jakir Group' was involved in various criminal activities including contract killing and drug smuggling.
Local people said they heard the sound of firing early in the morning. Law enforcers had imposed restriction on people's movement in the areas since morning.
In the afternoon, members of RAB picked up the dead bodies from the spot and sent them to morgue in Cox's Bazar hospital.
Earlier on September 1 last year, the alleged kingpin of a Rohingya robber gang was killed in a "gunfight" with police in Teknaf.
"Drug smuggler" killed in "gunfight" with BGB
Meanwhile, a suspected drug smuggler was killed in Teknaf during another 'gunfight' with members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) early Monday.
Commander of Teknaf BGB, Lieutenant Colonel Fysal Hassan Khan confirmed the matter to The Business Standard.
"Based on intelligent information, a team of BGB members conducted a drive in the area," he said adding, "Sensing the presence of BGB members, the drug smuggler tried to flee with drug through a boat. They also opened fire targeting the BGB members. The BGB members fired back in self-defence that triggered the gunfight."
He said three members of the BGB were injured during the gunfight.