[Bangla Daily Star] Three alleged criminals and an outlawed party member died in 'shootouts' with law enforcers in Dhaka and Kushtia yesterday.Of the dead, Rahat, Suman Sheikh and Alauddin were killed in the capital and Jibon, a Gono Mukti Fouz cadre, in Kushtia.
Rahat was allegedly the leader of an organised muggers' group.
Suman and Alauddin were in the gang of Dakat Shahid, one of the most wanted criminals, Rab said.
DETECTIVES' DRIVE
Rahat, who was allegedly involved in the murder of an assistant sub-inspector, was killed during a gunfight with the Detective Branch of Police in the capital's Pallabi area.
At a press briefing held at the DB office, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Shahidul Hoque said the gunfight ensued as detectives went to Pallabi embankment around 3:00am to nab Rahat.
They launched the drive on information extracted from Raju and Sujon, who were arrested on April 11 in connection with the killing of the ASI and a journalist.
Rahat fired the first shot triggering the clash. At one stage, he was bullet-hit and died on the spot. His accomplices escaped the scene.
Detectives picked up Sujon from Madaripur district headquarters and Raju from Mirpur in Dhaka for their alleged involvement in the killing of ASI Shah Mizanur Rahman, 35, of Nayatola Outpost under Ramna Police Station.
The ASI was found dead in Tangail on May 4 this year.
Sujon and Raju told the press briefing, teamed up with Rahat they killed ATN cameraman Shafiqul Islam Mithu.
RAB'S SHOOTOUT
Suman and Alauddin were killed in another incident of gunfight with Rapid Action Battalion at Daukinagar of Gendaria around 2:00am.
A band of youths, who were holding a meeting in a field, fired at Rab-10 officials, as the elite force personnel challenged the group.
The officers shot back. Suman and Alauddin were caught in the line of fire and died on the spot, Senior ASP Enamul Kabir of Rab-10 told reporters.
Two revolvers and three rounds of bullet were recovered from the scene.
However, the victims' family members claimed, Rab had asked Suman and Alauddin to come to Rab-10 office Saturday night over phone.
Talking to The Daily Star, Suman's mother Rabeda Begum admitted that her son was earlier involved in criminal activities.
"After serving 10 years in prison, my son was released four months ago. He was trying to get a job," Rabeda said.
She added, "Rab personnel arrested my son at their office after calling him out."
Alauddin's wife Yasmin Begum claimed, her husband had been an employee of Al-Mobarak Bus Service for last eight years.
KUSHTIA SHOOTOUT
Yesterday at about 2:45am, police from Kushtia district headquarters and a team from Detective Branch jointly raided a mango orchard in Shysthipur village where a group of GMF activists were holding a meeting.
Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the outlaws opened fire and hurled a bomb prompting the officers to return fire.
Jibon was bullet-hit during the exchange of gunfire and died on the spot. Jibon was from Simulia village of the district, reports our Kushtia correspondent.
Police recovered a light gun and six bombs from the place.
ASP CA Halim of Kushtia told The Daily Star that the outlawed GMF committed three murders in the area between January and March.
They claimed responsibility for the murders and Jibon led these killings, he said. Six cases were filed against Jibon and three of those were for killing, police said.