2 suspected robbers killed in police ‘shootout’ after arrest in Rajbarhi’s Pangsha

Two men wanted in connection with a number of robberies have been killed in an alleged shootout with police after their arrests in Rajbarhi’s Pangsha.

File photo

Local police OC Abu Sama Md Iqbal Hayat said the ‘exchange of fire’ took place in Purba Patta Bilbihari village of the Upazila around 3:15am on Friday.

He said following their arrest, the police took the duo to recover weapons from a Mahogany grove in line with their testimonies. 
 
“Their associates started firing on us once they became aware of our approach. Police also opened fire. The two were found lying in the ground after the robbers fled.”
 
They were initially taken to the Pangsha Upazila Health Complex and then to the Rajbarhi Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared them dead. 
 
The police official claimed he and four of his men were also injured in the shooting.

Deceased Omar Khan, 35, who hailed from Mourat union’s Charparha Village, was accused in four cases of robbery, murder and other crimes. 

His associate, Kamal Hossain, 47, who belonged to Kosbajail union’s Shantikhola village, had been accused in five cases for murder, robberies and possession of firearms including one over the killing of former Pangsha police OC Mizanur Rahman. 

Two single-shooter guns, a single-barrelled shotgun and five rounds of ammunition were recovered from the site of the shooting, the police officer added. The bodies have been kept in the Rajbarhi Sadar Upazila Hospital morgue for autopsy.