Leader of a gang of pirates was killed in a 'shootout' between his accomplices and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) while a policeman was injured in Botiaghata upazila of the district early yesterday.
The deceased was identified as Nasir Ahmed Sheikh, 32, leader of the notorious 'Nasir Bahini' of the Sundarbans responsible for crimes ranging from extortion and kidnapping to robbery and murder in the Sundarbans and around the coastal belt, said a press release of Rab-6.
The injured policeman, Nayek Abul Bashar, who sustained bullet wounds, was admitted to the local upazila health complex, it said.
Abdul Quader Beg, officer-in-charge (OC) of Botiaghata Police Station said a joint squad of Rab and local police conducted a raid in Narayankhali around 4:20am when the pirate gang was allegedly waiting to collect ransom from fishermen.
Sensing police presence, the pirates opened fire on them, prompting them to retaliate, resulting in a gunfight that lasted for 15 minutes, said the OC.
Nasir was caught in the line of fire and died on the spot, while his cohorts managed to flee the scene, he added.
Rab recovered a revolver, a pistol, four live bullets, Tk 4,310 and a flashlight from the spot.
Earlier, on June 25 this year, the notorious gang led by Nasir allegedly abducted 21 fishermen from Dular Char of the Sundarbans under Sharankhola upazila of Bagerhat district and demanded a ransom of Tk 2 lakh, said the press release.
Source : The Daily Star
