Four more die in 'shootouts' amid anti-drug raids across Bangladesh

At least four people have been killed in gunfights amid the ongoing drug crackdown across Bangladesh.

Police say two, one in Kushtia and one in Chapainawabganj, were killed in drug raids by security forces while the two others from Dinajpur and Cox’s Bazar, were killed in gunfights between two gangs of drug traffickers.

‘Drug traffickers’ have been allegedly killed in ‘shootouts’ nearly every night since security forces launched an anti-drug campaign in May.

About 200 people have been killed in similar incidents since the start of the crackdown.

The following are reports from our district correspondents:

KUSHTIA

A man has been killed in an alleged shootout with police in Kushtia’s Bheramara Upazila.

He was identified as Sham, 38, a resident of the upazila’s Khemirdiar area. He was named in eight narcotics cases at Bheramara Police Station, said local OC Aminul Islam.

Police conducted a raid in the early hours of Saturday in the Bakapul Chardamukdia area after receiving reports that drug dealers were operating in the area, he said.

“The drug dealers opened fire on police. Sham was shot when police returned fire. He was taken to Bharamara Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead.”

Four police personnel, including a sub-inspector, were also hurt in the gunfight, the OC said.

A shotgun, two bullets, two bullet shells and 500 yaba pills were recovered from the scene, he added.

CHAPAINAWABGANJ

A man has been killed in an alleged shootout with the Rapid Action Battalion or RAB in Chapainawabganj.

The shootout took place in the Sadar Upazila’s Mollan area around 1:30am on Saturday, said Abu Khayer, deputy commander Chapainawabganj RAB-5 Camp.

“The drug dealers opened fire on RAB when the team arrived in the area to conduct an anti-drug raid. The criminals fled when RAB returned fire. A man was found shot after the gunfight and rushed to Chapainawabganj Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.”

Weapons, bullets and Phensedyl were also recovered on the spot, the deputy commander said.

DINAJPUR

A man has allegedly been killed in a gunfight between two gangs of drug dealers in Dinajpur’s Parbatipur Upazila.

The incident occurred in the Barnirhat area of Belaichandi union around 3am on Saturday, said Parbatipur Police OC Habibul Haque.

“Police found a drug dealer named Abdul Karim with bullet injures after receiving a report about a gunfight. He died on the way to hospital.”

A shotgun along with a round of bullet, some yaba pills and a few bottles of Phensedyl were found in Karim’s possession. He was accused in several anti-narcotics cases, the OC said.

COX’S BAZAR

A man has allegedly been killed in a gunfight between two gangs of drug dealers in Cox’s Bazar’s Chakaria Upazila.

He was identified as 38-year-old Mohammad Ismail, a resident of Chakaria municipality's ward no-8 Kochpara area.

“A clash took place between two gangs of drug traffickers on Lama-Alikadam road near the upazila’s hill area early on Saturday, said Bakhtiar Uddin Chowdhury, chief of the Chakaria Police Station.

“A drug dealer was shot dead. He was named in several anti-narcotics cases at various police stations, including Chakaria Police Station.”

A pistol, two bullets and 450 yaba pills were recovered from the scene. The body was sent to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for autopsy, the OC said.