Man killed in ‘gunfight’ with Rajshahi cops

A man was killed in a "gunfight" between police and criminals during an anti-militancy drive in Bagmara upazila of Rajshahi early today.

Identity of the deceased could not be ascertained immediately, our Rajshahi correspondent reports quoting Abul Kalam Azad, officer-in-charge (investigation) of Bagmara Police Station.

The OC said the "gunfight" began around 3:30am when a joint team of detectives from Rajshahi and Bagmara police was conducting an anti-militancy drive at a mango orchard at Jhikra Joan Bhatpara village.

Sensing presence of police, a gang of criminals charged several crude bombs and fired gunshots targeting the law enforcers, forcing them to fire back that triggered a "gunfight".

At one stage, the criminals managed to flee the scene.

Later, police found a man, age between his 26 and 28, lying in a pool of blood with bullet injuries in his chest and abdomen, the OC said.

Doctors declared him dead when he was taken to Bagmara Upazila Health Complex, he added.

Police recovered a pistol, 20 crude bombs and some 10 sharp weapons including machetes, the police official said.