One killed in Sirajganj ‘crossfire’

A man accused in a dozen criminal cases including murder and rape has died in an alleged encounter with RAB at Sirajganj Sadar Upazila, police say.

RAB-12 Sirajganj camp Commander ASP Md Hasibul Alam said the shootout took place near the ‘Crossbar China Embankment’ at Morhgram on Friday morning.

Asadul Islam, 35, killed in the ‘crossfire’, was the leader of a gang of river pirates, police and RAB officers claimed.

ASP Alam said a RAB team raided the area following a tip-off on an assembly of robbers.

“A gunfight started once the robbers fired at RAB,” he said. “Asadul was arrested from the site in a critical condition, although the others managed to flee.”

Doctors at the Sirajganj Sadar Hospital pronounced him dead on being taken there, the RAB officer added.

Alam said a pistol, shotgun bullets, and three machetes had been recovered from the scene.

Islam was accused in cases over the murder of a businessman and the rape of two readymade garment workers while holding their father hostage, he said.

Besides, he was named in 15 cases, including seven robbery cases, filed in various police stations, he added.