Robber dies in ‘shootout’ in Cumilla

A man believed to a robbery gang leader has been killed in an alleged shootout in Burichong Upazila in Cumilla.

Additional Superintendent of Police in Cumilla Abdullah Al Mamun said the incident took place around 2am Thursday, near Kangshanagar brick field, just beside Cumilla-Sylhet Highway.

Police identified the robber as 28-year-old Abdul Halim from Bajebaherchar village in Burichang. He was a member of a robbery gang active in multiple districts and was named in 14 cases of robbery.   

Sub-Inspector Shah Kamal Akand of District Detective Branch said police ran a drive near the brick field where Halim and his team had been preparing for robbery.

The robbers opened fire on the police forcing them to retaliate.

“At one point, others fled and Halim was rescued injured. He died on his way to hospital,” he said. 

Manoj Kumar, chief of Burichong Police Station, said two robbers have been arrested in five cases filed against them.

They were identified as 25-year-old Limon Sarker and 36-year-old Zakir Hossain -- both from Debidwar Upazila.

He also said three police personnel -- OC Nasir Uddin Mridha, constable Md Abdullah and Saiful Islam -- were injured in the gunfight.

They were treated at Cumilla Police Lines Hospital. Police seized some weapons from the spot.