Seven jungle bandits held from Char Jabbar

The bandits were arrested following a combing operation launched by police in deep forest at Char Bagga, Char Zia and nearby villages under Char Jabbar and Char Jubilee. Assistant police Superintendent (ASP) Motiur Rahman led the operation.

Three jungle bandits were killed and 20 others injured in a gunfight with police and the gang of bandits Safi Batainna at Char Jabbar on Friday. The gunfight took place when the Batainna force raided the houses of landless leader Siraj and Shah Alam Mistry as they testified against them in court on Thursday.

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Police and locals informed that the case was lodged against the gang of Safi Batainna for their atrocity committed in July in the Char Bappa area.

Char Jabbar Officer-in-Charge (OC) Habibur Rahman disclosed that over 1,000 jungle bandits led by Safi Batainna entered the houses of Siraj, Shah Alam Mistry and Bhulu and enquired their whereabouts. As all of them were absent the bandits set their houses on fire which resulted in ruination of eight houses.

On information Char Jabbar police advanced. They were intercepted by bandits near Pankhar Bazaar. A fierce gunbattle ensued which lasted for an hour. The main accomplice of Batainna, Hanif Commander, 40, Nur Alam, Mistri, 50, and Khoka, 37, died on the spot.

Additional police force from Noakhali joined the police contingent of Char Jabbar. At this stage the bandits fled away with their casualty.

Police said, Friday morning trip on secret information Char Jabbar thana police arrested two members of jungle bandits team lead by Shafi Batayina (local world of cowbody) from Char Bagga.

Hearing the message hundreds of jungle bandits attacked nearby village Char Jubilee and set fire at three dwelling houses and harssed woman. Then Char Jabbar thana Police ceased them. At Pankhar (Fan's) Bazaar area police and bandits confronted exchanging fire.

Three bandits were shot deed at the spot by police. Later bandits fled to deep forest.

Police operation will continue for the next few days.

The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Noakhali and the Police Superintendent (SP) of Noakhali visited the spot.