3 killed in 'gunfights' with Rab

Three persons, including two siblings, were killed in "gunfights" with Rapid Action Battalion in the capital and Rangpur yesterday.

Of them, Manik, 25, and Sumon, 26, were sons of Amir Ali of Rangpur city's Khalifatari area, reports our correspondent there.

According to the elite force, the two stood accused in a murder case filed with Kotwali Police Station. They were also facing several cases for extortion and mugging lodged with local police.

The "gunfight" took place after a Rab patrol team saw some youths gathering near Dhap Check Post area around 3:30am, said Atiqur Rahman, deputy assistant director of Rab-13.

The moment the team asked the youths about their identity, they started stabbing the members of the crime busters with sharp weapons, he claimed.

Also, they opened fire on the Rab members, prompting the team to retaliate with gunfire that triggered the "gunfight".

Manik and Sumon sustained bullet injuries but their cohorts fled, Atiqur claimed.

They were rushed to Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RMCH) where on-duty doctors declared them dead.

Two Rab members -- Saiful and Imran -- were stabbed and undergoing treatment at RMCH, he said.

Two foreign revolvers, three bullets and two knives were found at the "gunfight" spot.

Police said the bodies were sent to the hospital morgue for autopsy.

"GUNFIGHT" IN DHAKA

Although Rab did not confirm the identity of the man killed in the capital, one Anisur Rahman claimed the "gunfight" victim was his brother Yasin Sarkar.

Yasin, 32, was a contractor at Agargaon, he said.

Lt Col SM Masud Rana, commanding officer of Rab-2, said a patrol team found four to five men moving suspiciously in Taltola area around 2:30am.

Sensing the presence of Rab, they started to flee.

The "criminals" began shooting at the elite force members after being chased. The Rab personnel fired back, leading to the "gunfight", he said.

Later, they found a person at the crime scene with bullet injury. But, the other criminals fled, Rana added.

The injured was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.

His body was then sent to Dhaka Medical College morgue for an autopsy.

Rana said Rab recovered two foreign pistols, seven bullets and three magazines from the spot.

Meanwhile, Anisur alleged that plainclothes Rab men had picked up his brother from near Mirpur's Sony Cinema Hall on July 12.

He along with his friends had gone there for Eid shopping, claimed Anisur, adding that he later heard that Yasin was in Rab custody.

His family learnt about the "crossfire" from locals yesterday morning.

Anisur said his brother was accused in two cases filed with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station.

Rab-2 Commanding Officer Masud Rana said he was unaware of anyone being picked up.