2 die in Dhaka ‘encounter’

Two suspected muggers have been killed in an alleged encounter with the sleuths of police's Detective Branch (DB) at Dhaka’s Motijheel.

DB Deputy Commissioner Jahangir Hossain said the shootout had taken place in front of Motijheel TNT School and College in the early hours of Sunday.

Police identified the victims as Jakir Hossain Akmal, 35, and Md Ramjan, 30.

However, families of the deceased claim both were involved with Sayedabaad's 'Paribahan Sramik League' -- ruling Awami League's workers' front.

Akmal's wife Sabina Yasmain told reporters that they hailed from Barisal and resided at Dhaka's Demra.

Ramjan's wife Nusrat Jahan said they hailed from Narayanganj and lived at Sayedabaad.

DB officer Hossain said they had signalled two motorcycles to stop around 2:30am.

“Six people on the motorcycles opened fire when asked to stop," he said, adding they then retaliated.

Two of the gang were injured during the firing but four others managed to flee, Hossain said.

Police claimed to have recovered two pistols and four rounds of bullet from the spot.

The two who sustained bullet wounds were rushed to the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital where doctors declared them dead.