One dies in anti-drug raid in Chattogram

A man has died in a ‘shootout’ with RAB in Chattogram as part of an anti-drug crackdown.

The incident took place at Bibir Haat Rail Gate in Muradpur on Thursday night which left four RAB members injured, RAB-7 chief Lt Col Mifta Uddin Ahmed told bdnews24.com.

A RAB team conducted a drive in the area to seize drugs. They stopped a car with suspected passengers but they opened fire on RAB officials and RAB had to retaliate.

One passenger was shot dead and the other fled, said RAB.

The dead was identified as 39-year old Ashim Roy Babu who hailed from Chambal village in Bashkhali Upazila, according to locals.

Babu was the activist of Jubo League, the youth wing of the ruling Awami League. He had been an individual candidate for the councillor post in ward No. 31.

He was a ‘drug dealer’ and was named in three cases in Kotwali Police Station, claimed the RAB.

The four RAB members injured in the incident received treatment at the Combined Military Hospital in Chattogram Cantonment, the elite force said. They are Squadron Leader Safayet Jamil Fahim, Major Mehdi Hassan, soldier Arif and Lance Corporal Shahid.

Arms and yaba pills were recovered from the scene.