Forest robber killed in Sundarbans ‘gunfight’

Staff Correspondent: The ringleader of a forest robbery gang was killed in a ‘gunfight’ with the members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Mrigmari cannel area of the East Chandpai range of Sundarbans on Friday morning.

The deceased was identified as Alam (35), chief of the Alam Bahini.

RAB members also recovered twelve firearms and 500 rounds of bullets from the spot.

Commanding Officer of Barisal Rab-8 Lieutenant Colonel Faridul Alam said acting on secret information that some fishermen were kidnapped by a gang of pirates, a team of RAB conducted a drive near the Shela River of the Sundarbans. When the elite force reached Mrigmari area in the morning, pirates opened fire to them, prompting the law enforcers to back fire that triggered a gunfight.

Alam was caught in the line of fire during the half  hour long battle while his other associates managed to get away. Later, Rab members recovered the body.

Risingbd/Bagerhat/May 6, 2016/Ali Akbar Tutul/Mukul