2 suspected JMB activists killed in 'shootout' with Bogra police

Two suspected operatives of the Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) have been shot dead in a 'shootout' with police in Bogra's Sherpur Upazila.

Bogra Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 29 August 2016, 05:03 AM
Updated : 29 August 2016, 06:32 AM

Police claim one of them, Khalid Hasan alias 'Badar Mama', 30, of Chapainawabganj, was the banned militant outfit's northern region military wing commander.

The other has been identified as 'Ripon', 25, of Rajshahi.

According to Bogra's Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police Gaziur Rahman, Khalid was involved in the attempt to murder Italian priest Piero Parolari and the attack at Kantajew Temple in Dinajpur in November and December last year.

Also, Ripon was involved in a meeting which plotted the murder of Rajshahi University's English teacher AFM Rezaul Karim Siddiquee. The meeting had taken place at Ripon's home, Rahman said.

"That meeting was attended by Khalid, 'Bike Hasan', who was killed in a crossfire in Rajshahi, and 'Badhon', the militant who was killed in the raid that ended the siege at Gulshan's Holey Artisan Bakery," Rahman said.

Prof Siddique was hacked to death on Apr 23 near his home in Rajshahi City’s Shalbagan area while he was on his way to the university.

On Jul 1 night, five gunmen had stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery and O' Kitchen restaurant in Dhaka's Gulshan and murdered 20 hostages, including 17 foreigners.

The attackers were killed the next morning in an army operation, which also freed at least 13 more hostages.

Gaziur Rahman said Monday's 'gunfight' between the JMB operatives and police took place at Bishapul Union's Noylaparha intersection in Bogra's Sherpur around 4am.

The law enforcers had raided that area after learning that suspicious people had gathered there, he said.

"Sensing police presence, the militants started firing. Police returned fire. Two persons were injured in the gunbattle."

The two were taken to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared them dead, said the police official.

Gaziur Rahman said two police officers were also injured during the 'shootout'. They were given first aid.

He added that a gun, four live bullets, a magazine and materials to make grenades were also recovered from the spot.​