Man wounded in ‘crossfire’ during anti-drug raid in Rajshahi

A man has been injured in Rajshahi in an alleged ‘shootout’ with police as part of the government’s nationwide ‘war on drugs’.

The man, Abdul Matin, is wanted in at least 10 cases in connection with drug dealing, according to the police.

A police team conducted an operation at Baliadying village in Godagari district’s Deopara union in the early hours of Monday, said Abdur Razzak Khan, senior assistant police superintendent of district police.

“The drug traffickers opened fire on police and Matin suffered bullet wounds on his leg after law enforcers fired back to retaliate. The others fled from the area immediately.”

Matin was admitted to the Rajshahi Medical College, Khan said adding that some weapons and 200gm heroin were recovered from the scene.

Three police personnel were also injured during the gunfight, he added.

More than 150 people have been killed in ‘crossfire’ since law-enforcement agencies began the anti-drug crackdown on May 18.