Two more die in anti-drug ‘shootouts’ with RAB in Dhaka, Narayanganj

Two men have been killed in alleged shootouts with RAB in Dhaka and Narayanganj as part of the government’s nationwide anti-drug crackdown.

The predawn shootouts took place in Dhaka’s Mirpur and Narayanganj’s Rupganj, said RAB officials.

The dead have been identified as Ibrahim alias Pilot Babu, 35, and Nadim alias Pachish, 35.

Both Ibrahim and Nadim were ‘notorious drug dealers’ from Mirpur and Geneva Camp at Mohammadpur in the capital, said RAB spokesman Mizanur Rahman.

A patrol team of RAB had put up a checkpoint at Mirpur’s Beribadh while RAB members signalled some bikers coming towards them to stop, Rahman told bdnews24.com.

“They didn’t stop but charged a bomb towards RAB members, triggering a gunfight. The bikers fled, but the gunfight left Ibrahim wounded.”

He was rushed to hospital and later doctors declared him dead.

Weapons, bullets and a huge cache of drugs were recovered from the scene.

Another incident took place at Rupganj Upazila’s Purbachal neighbourhood.

RAB members conducted a drive in the area following information that drug dealers have gathered there to peddle yaba pills, said Senior ASP of RAB-2 Rabiul Islam.

Sensing the presence of RAB members, the drug peddlers opened fire on them, prompting the elite force to retaliate, he said. Nadim was later found dead.

At least 4,000 yaba pills, one gun, one pistol and six bullets were recovered from the scene.

Nadim was wanted at least in eight cases of arms and drugs in different police stations.

Around 200 people have been killed in ‘shootouts’ since law-enforcement agencies began the anti-drug crackdown on May 18.