Two killed in Teknaf ‘gunfight’

Two suspected drug traders incluing a UP member have been killed in a ‘gunfight’  with police in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar.

The gunfight took place in Wabrang area of Nhilla union of the upazila early Friday.

The deceased were identified as Bakhtiar Ahmed alias Moulvi Bakhtiar, 55, a member of Rajapalong union parishad in Ukhia upazila, and Md Taher, 27, son of Yusuf Ali, from Kutupalong Rohingya camp of the upazila.

Pradip Kumar Dash, officer-in-charge of Teknaf Police Station, confirmed the news.

He said police arrested a Mohammad Yunus with yaba. As per his confessional statement, police arrested Bakhtiar and Taher with Tk 10 lakh on Thursday night.

Later, the law enforcers went there along with Bakhtiar and Taher to conduct a drive.

When the police team approached the area, a gang of drug traders opened fire on police from their hideout, forcing them to fire back that triggered the gunfight, said the OC.

After the gunfight, the law enforcers rescued Bakhtiar and Taher with bullet injury and taken to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex where duty doctor referred them to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital. But duty doctors of the hospital declared them dead, he said.

Three policemen were also injured in the gunfight, claimed the OC adding that they recovered 40,000 pieces of Yaba pills, five guns and 17 rounds of bullets from the spot.

Cox’s Bazar/Rubel/Mukul