Robber dies in 'shootout'

A robber has died in a ‘shootout’ in the Sunderbans.

OC of detective branch of Khulna Metropolitan Police Ta Ma Rokunuzzaman said, "An hour-long gun battle took place at the Bhutummari's shoal in Jhopjhopia river in Koira Upazila on Thursday night.”

In the shootout Moktarul Dhali aka Moktar was killed.

Police said Moktar, who was arrested earlier, was taking a police team to his hideout to get other members of his gang arrested.

OC of Koira Police station Subir Dutta said, “Police arrested Moktar from Mostafa roundabout following a tip-off.

"After the interrogation, police along with Moktar went to raid his den to detain other members of his gang and to seize arms. Having felt the presence of police, Moktar's men opened fire at the police. Police then retaliated. At one point, the robbers retreated, but in the shootout Moktar was injured."

He was taken to the Koira Upazila Health Complex where doctors pronounced him dead.

Police say deceased Moktar formed a bandit group under his own name and was carrying out robberies in the forest. He was accused in four murder cases and in one firearm case.

“After the shootout, police raided the hideout and recovered eight guns, six bombs, sixteen rounds of bullet and four empty bullet shells," Rokunuzzaman said.

Detective branch of Khulna Police and Koira Police jointly conducted the raid.