Suspected extremist leader killed in Rajbari ‘shootout’

An ‘extremist leader’ accused in a murder case has been killed in an alleged shootout with the detective police in Rajbari.

The gunfight occurred in the Kuthi Pachuria area of the Sadar Upazila’s Pachuria Union around 1:30am on Friday, said Rajbari Detective Branch Police OC Kamal Hossain Bhuiyan.

The deceased has been identified as 38-year-old Mohammad Ali Sheikh.

Police say he was the regional commander of the extremist group ‘Sarbahara Lal Pataka’ and had been accused of murder, kidnapping and extortion in several cases.

A police team was dispatched to the Kuthi Pachuria area after receiving reports that a group of extremists had gathered there.

“They opened fire when they noticed the presence of police. Police retaliated in self-defence. At one point in the gunfight they began to flee. Mohammad Ali was found shot at the scene afterwards.”

He was taken to Rajbari Sadar Hospital, where doctors on duty declared him dead, the OC said.

Police have recovered a pistol, a double-barrel firearm and 14 rounds of bullets at the scene.

Two police personnel, ZIaul and Ramzan, were injured in the incident, the OC added.