One killed, 25 hurt in Kushtia gunbattle

The gangs led by Rasidul and Akther are rivals for long and fought several gunbattles earlier. On Saturday, they traded about 50 shots during an hour-long fight, leaving one Mafiz, 30, of Rasidul killed on the spot, police said.

The gangs have been engaged in various crimes including drug peddling, abduction, robbery and mugging for long.

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Rasidul and Akther face at least 25 criminal cases including murder cases each, filed with the Sadar and Kumarkahli police stations, police said.

The battle ensued at about 8 am when some members of Akther group came to the area and attacked some members of Rasidul group, apparently to regain control. Rasidul was arrested on Wednesday and is in jail.

The Akther group had fled the area after a gunfight with a police-BDR joint force on May 18 in which 20 people were injured. On information, police went to the spot but the gunrunners escaped. The injured are taking treatment at secret places to evade arrest, sources said.

Police said at least ten people were killed in clashes between the rival groups the last several months.