Suspected Pabna gang leader killed in police ‘shootout’

A man described by police as the leader of a local gang has been killed in a ‘shootout’ in Pabna’s Berha Upazila.

Pabna Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 15 Feb 2017, 05:15 AM
Updated : 15 Feb 2017, 05:15 AM

The ‘shootout’ occurred early on Tuesday morning in the Upazila’s Darirchar area, said Aminpur Police OC Tajul Huda.

The dead gangster was identified as Nizam Nistar, who hails from Kathulia village in Pabna’s Sadar Upazila.

Police were conducting a raid in the Chalarchor area based on a tip, OC Tajul told bdnews24.com.

When the policemen reached Darirchor, the criminals fired on them.

“One of the criminals was killed when police returned fire,” he said. “Locals later identified the victim as Nizam Nistar, the leader of local gang Nistar Bahini.”

Police recovered two firearms, three rounds of ammunition and two machetes from the spot, said OC Tazul.

“Nizam was a formidable criminal,” said Pabna Superintendent of Police Jihadul Kabir. “Police had been looking for him for some time. He was searching for a new hideout after his one in Shahjadpur was compromised.”

Local residents have expressed relief at news of Nistar’s death.

“Nistar’s tyranny made it difficult to live here,” said Abbas Uddin of Kathulia village. “Sometimes his gang would attack late into the night. We can finally breathe free now that he is dead, but it still feels difficult to believe.”

Mahtab Uddin of the same village discussed similar experiences.

“Nistar and his men have murdered many people in Pabna, Rajbarhi and Faridpur,” he said. “They would kill anyone who spoke up against them. Countless people have been killed and had their bodies tossed in the Padma.”