2 Jamaat men killed in ‘crossfire’ with police in Jessore

Police say two Jamaat-e-Islami activists have been killed in a gunfight with the law enforcers at Monirampur in Jessore.

The skirmish took place in a field in the Begaritala area around 2:30am on Wednesday, Monirampur Police Station OC Molla Khabir Ahmed said.

The deceased were identified as Bazlur Rahman, 42, and Abu Sayeed, 48.

They were held from Joypur Gopibazar on Tuesday evening on charges of sabotage, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Reshma Sharmin said.

Police raided the field on the basis of information given by the two that they had hidden arms and bombs there, she said.

Nine crude bombs, 12 Molotov cocktails, a one-shooter gun and two bullets were recovered from the field.

The ASP said police had retaliated when Bazlur and Sayeed’s accomplices opened fire on the law enforcers.

They were found shot after the gunfight, she said.

Doctors at the Upazila health complex declared them dead when they were taken there, she added.

OC Khabir said Sayeed had six and Bazlur had two cases against them over violence and other charges.